Mining & Mineral Engineeringat South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Graduates earn $90,514/yr in their first year — about 7.0% above the national Mining & Mineral Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $855K; scenarios range from $741K to $892K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Pursuing Mining and Mineral Engineering at SDSMT places you in a uniquely specialized field with consistent demand. Your earning potential is shaped by the critical need for engineers in resource extraction, often in regions where these skills are scarce. SDSMT's strong regional reputation, especially for practical, hands-on engineering, means you'll find established recruiting pipelines with companies involved in everything from aggregates and industrial minerals to precious metals across the Mountain West and beyond. While the data indicates a shift with AI, recognize that many core responsibilities—like geological assessment, on-site safety, and complex project management—demand human expertise that AI augments rather than replaces. Focus on internships to gain practical experience and cultivate skills in data analysis and automation to ensure your career thrives amidst technological evolution.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Mining & Mineral Engineering
How South Dakota School of Mines and Technology stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Other highest-scoring programs offered at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Mining & Mineral Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mining & Mineral Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
At 62/100, the score looks reasonable — but Mining & Mineral Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mining & Mineral Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.