by our College Data Analytics TeamMining and Petroleum Technology focuses on the removal of natural recourses, such as petroleum and coal. This is an essential technology for our modern world. A Mining or Petroleum Technician will use basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in the development and operation in mines, or natural oil and gas withdrawal.
If you decide to pursue this major you will take classes in Mining Safety, Basic Rigging for the Mines, Drilling and Completion, and Oil and Gas Gathering & Transportation. Within this major there are two concentrations, they are Mining Technology and Petroleum Technology. Both focus on mapping and site analysis, testing and sampling methods, instrument calibration, assay analysis, test equipment operation and maintenance. This major is offered as both a Bachelor's and Associate's degree, depending on which college you decide to choose.
Mining & Petroleum Technology was the 312th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 445 degrees in this year alone. This 168 less than the prior year, a decrease of 37.8%.
This year's Best Mining & Petroleum Technology Schools ranking compares 11 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom mining and petroleum tech rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in mining and petroleum technology is using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most mining and petroleum tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional mining and petroleum tech certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different mining and petroleum tech degree levels. You can get anything from a in mining and petroleum technology to the highest mining and petroleum tech degree, a . Mining & Petroleum Technology programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to mining and petroleum tech, with approximately 31.8% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to mining and petroleum tech tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 34.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 17.4% |
| High School Diploma | 16.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 13.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 7.7% |
About 62.9% of workers in careers related to mining and petroleum tech obtain at least associate degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in mining and petroleum technology have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which mining and petroleum tech career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your mining and petroleum tech degree? Mining & Petroleum Technology careers are expected to grow 12.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mining and petroleum technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | 80,800 | 5.2% |
| Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators | 51,100 | 23.4% |
| Geological and Petroleum Technicians | 17,400 | 16.0% |
Recently graduated mining and petroleum technology students earned an average of $54,371 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $32,583 to as high as $73,434. As you might expect, salaries for mining and petroleum tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for mining and petroleum technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers mining and petroleum tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | $65,720 |
| Geological and Petroleum Technicians | $62,890 |
| Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators | $52,780 |
With over 81 different mining and petroleum tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased mining and petroleum tech school rankings to help you with this.
One of 18 majors within the Engineering Technologies area of study, Mining & Petroleum Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Technology/Technician | 434 |
| Mining Technology/Technician | 8 |
| Other Mining & Petroleum Technologies | 3 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technology | 11,906 |
| Electromechanical Engineering Technology | 10,593 |
| Drafting & Design Engineering Technology | 8,964 |
| Environmental Control Technology | 8,690 |
| Electronics Engineering Technology | 8,592 |
Image Credit: By Jeffrey Beall under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
