What are the main factors that influence an Underground Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Underground Operator?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Underground Operator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change An Underground Operator's salary?

An Underground Operator's salary grows with experience: a Heavy Equipment Operator I (0-1 years)earns $47,990, a Heavy Equipment Operator II (1-3 years)earns $54,150, a Heavy Equipment Operator III (3-5 years)earns $61,942, a Underground Operator (5-7 years)earns $82,110,

What are the highest paying states for an Underground Operator?

Underground Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Underground Operator roles are District of Columbia $87,006, California $86,676, Massachusetts $85,521. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Underground Operator roles make?

Salaries for Underground Operator level roles vary by specialization: Underground Coal Miner: $99,627; Underground Mining Engineer: $95,289; Underground Engineer: $90,569; Foreman Underground: $88,720; Underground Laborer: $88,628.

Underground Operator Salary in Rhode Island

How much does an Underground Operator make in Rhode Island?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Underground Operator in Rhode Island is $81,474 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, an Underground Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,637
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,320 to $92,552
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,985

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Underground Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$92,552	$7,713	$1,780	$44
Average	$81,474	$6,790	$1,567	$39
25th Percentile	$72,320	$6,027	$1,391	$35

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Underground Operator Salaries

An Underground Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Underground Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Underground Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $87,006.
California: $86,676.
Massachusetts: $85,521.

District of Columbia $87,006 California $86,676 Massachusetts $85,521 Washington $85,207 New Jersey $85,175 Alaska $85,065 Connecticut $83,981 New York $83,541

Hawaii $82,134 Rhode Island $81,474 Maryland $81,026 Minnesota $80,413 Colorado $80,178 Illinois $80,099 Oregon $79,800 Delaware $79,580

New Hampshire $79,442 Virginia $79,132 Pennsylvania $78,229 Nevada $77,773 North Dakota $77,624 Michigan $77,388 Wisconsin $77,302 Vermont $77,129

Texas $76,649 Maine $76,618 Arizona $76,571 Ohio $76,516 Georgia $75,793 Indiana $75,431 Wyoming $75,361 Utah $75,251

Iowa $75,203 Kansas $74,826 Louisiana $74,716 North Carolina $74,677 Missouri $74,661 Florida $74,355 Montana $74,190 Nebraska $74,032

Kentucky $73,946 South Carolina $73,632 Tennessee $73,435 Idaho $73,357 New Mexico $72,783 Oklahoma $72,657 Alabama $72,194 South Dakota $71,416

Arkansas $70,991 West Virginia $70,763 Mississippi $70,080

Top Paying Cities for Underground Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Adamsville: $82,493
Albion: $81,796
Ashaway: $82,336

Adamsville, RI $82,493 Albion, RI $81,796 Ashaway, RI $82,336 Barrington, RI $81,580 Block Island, RI $82,035 Bradford, RI $82,287 Bristol, RI $81,895 Carolina, RI $82,151

Charlestown, RI $82,181 Chepachet, RI $82,017 Clayville, RI $81,789 Coventry, RI $81,792 West Greenwich, RI $82,018 East Greenwich, RI $81,737 Exeter, RI $81,995 Fiskeville, RI $81,579

Forestdale, RI $82,207 Foster, RI $81,974 Glendale, RI $82,214 Greene, RI $82,082 Greenville, RI $81,610 Harmony, RI $81,715 Harrisville, RI $82,178 Hope, RI $81,630

Hope Valley, RI $82,264 Hopkinton, RI $82,372 Jamestown, RI $82,097 Kenyon, RI $82,141 Little Compton, RI $82,480 Manville, RI $81,903 Mapleville, RI $82,033 Newport, RI $82,180

Middletown, RI $82,216 North Kingstown, RI $81,878 North Scituate, RI $81,716 Oakland, RI $82,122 Pascoag, RI $82,233 Pawtucket, RI $81,459 Central Falls, RI $81,495 Cumberland, RI $81,958

Lincoln, RI $81,576 Portsmouth, RI $82,171 Prudence Island, RI $82,002 Rockville, RI $82,360 Saunderstown, RI $82,048 Shannock, RI $82,145 Slatersville, RI $82,208 Slocum, RI $82,046

Tiverton, RI $82,421 Wakefield, RI $82,118 Kingston, RI $82,086 Narragansett, RI $82,141 Peace Dale, RI $82,108 Warren, RI $81,791 Warwick, RI $81,563 Westerly, RI $82,356

West Kingston, RI $82,112 West Warwick, RI $81,663 Wood River Junction, RI $82,229 Woonsocket, RI $82,212 North Smithfield, RI $82,025 Wyoming, RI $82,145 Providence, RI $81,435 Cranston, RI $81,446

North Providence, RI $81,455 East Providence, RI $81,440 Riverside, RI $81,466 Rumford, RI $81,455 Smithfield, RI $81,620 Johnston, RI $81,483

Underground Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Underground Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Underground Operator positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Underground Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Underground Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense	$97,769	$47.0	20%
Biotechnology	$97,769	$47.0	20%
Chemicals	$97,769	$47.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$97,769	$47.0	20%
Financial Services	$97,769	$47.0	20%

Underground Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Underground Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$72,320

Average $81,474/year

$92,552

$6,027

Average $6,790/month

$7,713

$1,391

Average $1,567/week

$1,780

$35

Average $39/hour

$44

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$92,552	$7,713	$1,780	$44
Average	$81,474	$6,790	$1,567	$39
25th Percentile	$72,320	$6,027	$1,391	$35

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