In 2006, production workers, earned $21.40 an hour in oil and gas extraction, $22.08 an hour in coal mining, $22.39 an hour in metal ore mining, and $18.74 an hour in nonmetallic minerals mining, compared to the private industry average of $16.76 an hour

Figure 1 and Figure 2 below show the 'Average Earnings of Non-Supervisory Workers in 2006 and Median Hourly Mining of the Largest Occupations in Mining, May 2006, respectively.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor (2007)

The U.S. Department of Labor report states that earnings are higher for the average of all industries. However, the report also states: "Working conditions in mines, quarries, and well sites can be unusual and sometimes dangerous." (2007) Moreover the U.S. Department of Labor report states: "Underground mines are damp and dark, and some can be very hot and noisy. At times, several inches of water may cover tunnel floors. Although underground mines...
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