Mining and geological engineers held about 8,300 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most mining and geological engineers were as follows:
Engineering services
24%
Metal ore mining
15
Oil and gas extraction
11
Coal mining
10
Support activities for mining
11
Many work at mining operations in remote locations; some work in sand-and-gravel operations that are located near large cities; and some engineers work in offices of mining firms or consulting companies, which are generally in large urban areas.
Work Schedules
Most mining and geological engineers work full time, and more than 2 in 5 worked more than 40 hours a week in 2014. The remoteness of some of the locations gives rise to variable schedules and weeks during which they work more hours than usual.