Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$158,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+49% vs US median
US median $106,220
State Rank
#1 of 28
520 employed here

How much do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers make in California?

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers working in California earn a median salary of $158,130 per year, or about $76.02 per hour. That is 49% above the national median of $106,220 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $84,430 while the top 10% make $175,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $122,120 and $169,770 a year.

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$84,430$40.59
25th percentile (early career)$122,120$58.71
50th percentile (median)$158,130$76.02
75th percentile (experienced)$169,770$81.62
90th percentile (top earners)$175,940$84.59

How California compares

California ranks 1st out of 28 states and territories for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$158,130
2Oklahoma$131,660
3Utah$125,520
4Alaska$124,630
5Idaho$123,680

Working as Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in California

Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($158,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers make in California?
The median Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers salary in California is $158,130 per year, or about $76.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $84,430 at the entry level to $175,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers about 49% more than the national median of $106,220. California ranks 1st out of 28 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $158,130 a year. About 520 Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.