U.S. mining industry total employment 2000-2023

The United States' mining industry employed 585,000 people in 2023. This was a decrease of more than 89,000 mining industry employees compared to 2019. The U.S. mining industry has been active since the country’s colonial times and continues to be an important industry.

U.S. mining employment trends in sub-sectors

Within the U.S. mining industry, the sub-sectors have varying employment patterns. For instance, stone mining was the largest U.S. mining industry employer of any sub-sector in 2022, with 70,413 operators, followed by the coal sector with 45,212 operators (and further 21,204 contractors that year). In contrast, the U.S. coal mining industry has seen a decline in employment, dropping from 81,491 in 2019 to 68,623 in 2023. Notably, women's representation in coal mining employment decreased from nine percent to seven percent during this period.

U.S. uranium mining: dwindling operational mines means dwindling employment 

The U.S. uranium mining sector has faced particular employment decline as the coal industry, with employment plummeting from 1,563 workers in 2008 to just 340 in 2023. This dramatic decrease corresponds with a reduction in operational uranium mines, from 20 in 2009 to only five in 2023. These figures underscore the volatile nature of specialized mining sectors and their susceptibility to market forces and regulatory changes. As the mining industry continues to evolve, employment levels are likely to reflect ongoing shifts in energy demand and environmental policies.