Mining & Petroleum Technology
Quick Facts: Mining & Petroleum Technology Training
Where it's offered
Mining & Petroleum Technology programs are offered at 6 schools across 5 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $58,980/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 9 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Mining & Petroleum Technology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 6 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 52/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Mining & Petroleum Technology Graduates Do
A career in mining and petroleum technology puts you directly at the heart of the energy industry. As a service unit operator, you’ll be out in the field, working with a crew to operate the heavy pumps and blending equipment needed to prepare oil and gas wells for production. Alternatively, you could become an engineering technician, working in a lab or office to test geological samples, maintain complex extraction machinery, and help engineers analyze data. This is hands-on work managing physical equipment and real-world conditions—a job that simply can’t be automated by AI.
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You’ll likely start as an assistant or junior operator, learning the equipment and safety protocols while earning a solid wage. With a few years of experience, you can advance to a lead operator or a full engineering technician, taking on more responsibility as your income grows significantly. Top earners become senior specialists or supervisors at gas processing plants, where they monitor complex systems from a control room and can earn salaries well over $80,000. Demand for skilled technicians to support this essential infrastructure remains steady, offering a reliable path to a high-paying career.
Students considering Mining & Petroleum Technology also weigh Environmental Technology, Nuclear Engineering Technology, and Industrial Production Technology — see each trade's earnings and school count side by side.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 9 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Mining & Petroleum Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Additive 3D Printing Technician
RAPIDS 2078HY |
2000-4000 hrs | Hybrid | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Industrial Manufacturing Technician
RAPIDS 2031HY |
2736-3000 hrs | Hybrid | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Industrial Manufacturing Technician (Alternate Title: Manafacturing Production Techician)
RAPIDS 2031CB |
Competency | Competency | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Laboratory Asst, Metallurgical
RAPIDS 621 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Non-Destructive Tester
RAPIDS 1010 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Non-Destructive Tester
RAPIDS 1010CL |
Competency | Competency | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Nondestructive Testing (Ndt) (Existing Title: Non-Destructive Tester) (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1010R |
5920 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Optics Manufacturing Technician
RAPIDS 2045CB |
Competency | Competency | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
|
Welding Technician
RAPIDS 498 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $60K – $77,390 – $98K | 1.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Mining & Petroleum Technology Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Mining & Petroleum Technology is offered at 6 schools across 5 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Mining & Petroleum Technology Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Mining & Petroleum Technology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
6 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey, IL |
69 67–70 |
| 2 | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey, IL |
65 62–67 |
| 3 | Houston Community College Houston, TX |
64 62–65 |
| 4 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OK |
59 57–60 |
| 5 | Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA |
57 55–58 |
| 6 | Lackawanna College Scranton, PA |
50 48–51 |
Highest Earning Mining & Petroleum Technology Programs
Schools where Mining & Petroleum Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholls State University | $63,555/yr | 57 |
| Lackawanna College | $63,377/yr | 50 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | $61,659/yr | 69 |
| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology | $59,357/yr | 59 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | $58,787/yr | 65 |
| Houston Community College | $47,146/yr | 64 |
Best ROI for Mining & Petroleum Technology
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Mining & Petroleum Technology.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 172.6x | $61,659/yr | 69 |
| Houston Community College | 108.9x | $47,146/yr | 64 |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 101.3x | $58,787/yr | 65 |
| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology | 50.4x | $59,357/yr | 59 |
| Nicholls State University | 45.1x | $63,555/yr | 57 |
| Lackawanna College | 19.6x | $63,377/yr | 50 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Mining & Petroleum Technology degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.