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What is a tunneling machine operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a tunneling machine operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $14.11 an hour? That's $29,347 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreTunneling Machine OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,347

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.6

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 0.84%

Black or African American 5.40%

Hispanic or Latino 15.18%

Unknown 3.88%

White 74.37%

Gender

female 20.87%

male 79.13%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress level
5.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a tunneling machine operator

  1. Explore tunneling machine operator education requirements

    Most common tunneling machine operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    62.5 %

    Associate

    14.6 %

    Bachelor's

    10.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific tunneling machine operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Control Room83.66%
    Dryers16.34%
  3. Complete relevant tunneling machine operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New tunneling machine operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a tunneling machine operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tunneling machine operator resumes.
  4. Research tunneling machine operator duties and responsibilities

    • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
    • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
    • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
  5. Prepare your tunneling machine operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tunneling machine operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tunneling machine operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable tunneling machine operator resume templates

    Build a professional tunneling machine operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your tunneling machine operator resume.
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
    Tunneling Machine Operator Resume
  6. Apply for tunneling machine operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a tunneling machine operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first tunneling machine operator job

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Average tunneling machine operator salary

The average tunneling machine operator salary in the United States is $29,347 per year or $14 per hour. Tunneling machine operator salaries range between $23,000 and $36,000 per year.

Average tunneling machine operator salary
$29,347 Yearly
$14.11 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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