Occupation · SOC 47-5043
Roof Bolters, Mining
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
Median wage
$76,640
$50,880–$87,420
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
2,230
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingOperations MonitoringMonitoringEquipment MaintenanceActive ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessInstructingEquipment SelectionActive LearningService OrientationReading ComprehensionSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesWritingNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesInstallationManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignProgramming
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationEngineering and TechnologyDesignMathematicsSales and MarketingComputers and ElectronicsBuilding and ConstructionGeographyTelecommunicationsAdministrativeChemistryPhysicsCommunications and MediaEconomics and AccountingPsychologyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingBiologySociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Caterpillar Cat MineStar SystemCaterpillar Command
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAssisting and Caring for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesAnalyzing Data or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesThinking CreativelyDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationSelling or Influencing OthersWorking with ComputersStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative Activities
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Bolt hole drilling procedure — follow step-by-step under direct supervision to place holes at specified distances from ribs in an underground mine roof.Loose rock identification — recognize visually and report hazardous material that requires pulling down before bolting operations begin.Bolting machine positioning — assist with aligning self-propelled bolting machines and inserting drill bits into chucks under a journeyman's guidance.Pre-operation safety checks — complete a supervised checklist of equipment inspections before activating any bolting machinery on shift.Methane gas testing — perform basic atmospheric tests using handheld detectors under direction to identify gas presence prior to drilling.Hydraulic bolt insertion — operate the hydraulic mechanism of a bolting machine with close oversight to force bolts into pre-drilled roof holes.Ventilation curtain hanging — assist in installing ventilation curtains and tubes along designated airways under a crew leader's instruction.Rock dusting procedure — apply rock dust to surfaces after bolting operations following prescribed coverage guidelines in an underground coal mine.Hand-tool and equipment handling — use wrenches, torque tools, and drill bits safely while following site lockout/tagout protocols.Workplace communication — listen attentively and relay clear verbal reports to supervisors regarding observed roof conditions or equipment issues.
developing
Roof bolt hole spacing — drill bolt holes at correct rib and adjacent-bolt distances with minimal oversight, maintaining pattern accuracy across a full section.Unsupported rock removal — pull down loose or unstable roof material independently, applying judgment on what requires scaling before bolting proceeds.Bolting machine setup — position and configure self-propelled bolting machines on varied roof heights and alignments without supervisory prompting.Equipment pre-shift inspection — execute comprehensive safety checks on hydraulic systems, drill assemblies, and controls and document findings on shift reports.Gas monitoring routine — conduct scheduled methane tests and interpret readings against permissible exposure limits, adjusting work pace or halting operations as needed.Hydraulic bolt placement — consistently drive bolts to specified torque and depth using the bolting machine's hydraulic system across routine production cycles.Ventilation system maintenance — hang, reposition, and inspect curtains and tubing to maintain airflow patterns in changing mine headings.Rock dust application quality — dust freshly bolted areas to uniform coverage standards, checking adherence to mine safety regulations on a routine basis.Troubleshooting minor equipment faults — diagnose and resolve common hydraulic leaks, stuck drill bits, or sensor errors to restore production with minimal downtime.Crew coordination — coordinate task sequencing with fellow bolters and shuttle car operators to maintain safe and efficient roof support progress.
proficient
Complex roof bolt patterns — design and execute varied bolt hole layouts to meet engineering specifications on irregular or fractured roof conditions in challenging underground sections.High-risk scaling decisions — independently evaluate and remove hazardous loose rock in non-routine conditions, applying critical judgment to protect crew safety.Full equipment lifecycle management — set up, calibrate, operate, and perform preventive maintenance on bolting machines across the complete operational cycle without oversight.Advanced methane monitoring — interpret atmospheric data trends, coordinate with ventilation crews, and initiate corrective actions when gas readings approach action levels.Non-routine equipment repair — diagnose and repair complex hydraulic, mechanical, or electronic faults on bolting machines to minimize unplanned production stoppages.Ventilation system optimization — assess airflow adequacy across multiple mine sections and reconfigure curtains and tubing to meet changing ventilation plans.Production quality control — inspect bolt installation quality against torque specifications and ground control plans, identifying and correcting deviations across an entire heading.Time and workflow management — plan shift sequences to balance drilling, bolting, dusting, and ventilation tasks, meeting production targets while sustaining safety standards.Problem-solving under pressure — apply structured troubleshooting to simultaneous equipment, ground control, and atmospheric challenges in high-stress underground environments.Safety culture reinforcement — model and enforce compliance with roof support plans, gas detection protocols, and PPE requirements across daily operations.
advanced
Ground control program leadership — direct the development and implementation of mine-wide roof support plans, integrating engineering guidance with real-world bolting crew experience.Workforce training and mentorship — design and deliver on-the-job training programs for new roof bolters, calibrating instruction to Job Zone 2 skill development milestones.Organizational safety standards — establish pre-shift inspection protocols and gas-monitoring procedures adopted across multiple mine sections or sites.Equipment procurement and evaluation — evaluate bolting machine specifications, negotiate with vendors, and recommend capital purchases aligned with production and safety requirements.Regulatory compliance oversight — interpret MSHA roof control and ventilation regulations, lead compliance audits, and represent the operation during agency inspections.Incident investigation and prevention — lead root-cause analyses of roof fall or equipment incidents and implement corrective action plans that reduce repeat occurrences.Cross-functional coordination — align bolting crew scheduling with mine engineering, ventilation, and haulage operations to optimize overall underground production flow.Performance metrics and reporting — define key performance indicators for roof bolting productivity and safety, analyze shift data, and report trends to mine management.Technology integration — evaluate and champion adoption of industrial control software and ERP platforms to improve maintenance scheduling and production tracking for bolting operations.Strategic risk management — assess ground control risks across the mine plan horizon, advising senior leadership on sequencing decisions that protect personnel and assets.
Also known as
14 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Bolt Machine OperatorBolt ManBolterBolting InspectorBolting Machine OperatorMinerPlace Change Roof BolterRoof BolterRoof Bolter OperatorRoof Bolting Coal MinerTruss AssemblerUnderground Bolting Machine OperatorUnderground MinerUnderground Roof Bolter