Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Why Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 37.3%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $54371 and average student debt of $20277, the financial outlook for Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Wondering if Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $54371, and the average student debt is $20277, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.37—a strong position for financial independence.
With an annual graduating class of 433 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other (CIP 15.0999) is a specialized category for advanced technical specialists who support the extraction of Earth's most critical energy and mineral resources. While general technicians might focus on basic equipment maintenance, professionals in this "Other" category are often the "Subsurface Experts" managing advanced drilling automation, seismic data collection, or remote-operated mining vehicles. It is a path for "industrial pioneers" who want to master the technology used to power the modern world and provide the raw materials for everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.
This field is ideal for "adventure-driven technologists"—individuals who enjoy high-tech diagnostics and aren't afraid of working in rugged, remote, or extreme environments to solve complex resource challenges.
What Is an "Other" Mining and Petroleum Technology Degree?
A degree in this category is an applied STEM path that emphasizes resource exploration, extraction technology, and operational safety. You will study the fundamentals of geology and fluid mechanics but apply them through the lens of industrial implementation. Because this code often houses niche or emerging specialties, your studies might focus on Offshore Deepwater Operations, Rare-Earth Mineral Recovery, or Autonomous Underground Mining Systems. It prepares you to be a technical leader who ensures that extraction is efficient, safe, and environmentally compliant.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Exploration Technicians" who use seismic and magnetic sensors to map underground reservoirs
- Develop experts in Drilling Fluids and Wellbore Integrity, focusing on the chemistry and physics of deep-earth access
- Prepare professionals for Remote Operations Control, managing robotic mining fleets from a centralized digital hub
- Study Environmental Mitigation, focusing on "clean mining" techniques and land reclamation after extraction is complete
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that modern extraction is a "high-tech precision game"; they focus on using data and automation to reach resources that were previously impossible to access.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Seismic and Geophysical Imaging—using shockwaves to "see" through miles of solid rock
- Use "Well-Logging Software" to analyze the composition of soil and rock in real-time
- Design Extraction Workflows that maximize the amount of material recovered while minimizing waste
- Perform Equipment Diagnostics on massive, multi-million dollar machinery like boring machines and oil rigs
- Utilize SCADA Systems to monitor pressure, temperature, and flow across vast pipeline networks
- Understand Industrial Safety and Blowout Prevention—ensuring the highest levels of disaster prevention
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of Earth science, mechanical systems, and digital data analysis:
- Applied Geology: The study of rock formations and how they store oil, gas, and minerals.
- Fluid Power and Hydraulics: Understanding how high-pressure liquids are used in drilling and fracking.
- Reservoir Mechanics: The physics of how oil and water move through porous rock deep underground.
- Mineral Processing: The chemistry of separating valuable metals from raw ore.
- Surface and Underground Mining: Learning the different technical requirements for open-pit vs. deep-shaft operations.
- Sustainability and Reclamation: The engineering of "leaving no trace" after a site's resources are exhausted.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as elite technical specialists and field supervisors in the energy and raw materials sectors.
Common job roles include:
- Petroleum Technology Specialist: Managing the technical systems on an offshore platform or inland drill site.
- Mining Operations Lead: Overseeing the automated equipment used in large-scale mineral extraction.
- Well-Log Technician: Collecting and analyzing data from deep-earth probes to guide drilling decisions.
- Seismic Data Technician: Working with geophysicists to map potential new resource sites.
- Field Service Engineer: Traveling to remote global locations to repair proprietary extraction technology.
- Environmental Compliance Officer: Ensuring that a mine or oil field meets strict water and air quality standards.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists work at the very start of the global supply chain:
- Energy Majors: Working for companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, or Shell.
- Mining Giants: Managing operations for firms like Rio Tinto, BHP, or Freeport-McMoRan.
- Oilfield Service Companies: Providing technical expertise for firms like Halliburton or Schlumberger.
- Renewable Energy Firms: Using drilling expertise for Geothermal Energy projects.
- Government Surveys: Working for the USGS or state geological departments to map national resources.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of the extreme technical difficulty, the importance of the resources, and the often-remote nature of the work, salaries in this field are among the highest in technology.
- Petroleum/Mining Technologists: Median annual salary of approximately $85,000–$120,000.
- Senior Field Leads: Salaries typically range from $110,000 to $160,000+.
- Specialized Drilling Technicians: Median annual salary of around $90,000–$130,000.
- Entry-Level Junior Technicians: Often start between $65,000 and $80,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the combination of high-level science and physical resilience. You must be proficient in Physics and Chemistry. Unlike an office job, you must be comfortable working with massive forces—thousands of pounds of pressure and miles of steel—where a mistake can have serious environmental or safety consequences. It requires a decisive and safety-first mindset. It is a very hands-on major that often involves "field camps" where students live and work on actual industrial sites.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love the idea of a "non-desk" job that takes you to the mountains, the desert, or the ocean
- Are fascinated by the "hidden world" underground and the machines used to explore it
- Enjoy working with massive, high-tech machinery and complex computer sensors
- Want a career that is essential to the global economy and the energy transition
- Are a "rugged problem solver" who thrives in high-stakes environments
How to Prepare in High School
- Take Physics, Chemistry, and Algebra; they are the bedrock of extraction science
- Learn basic CAD and Data Analysis; being able to read 3D maps is a vital skill
- Join an outdoor or geology club to get comfortable with land navigation and Earth science
- Practice your Communication Skills; field techs often have to lead teams in high-pressure situations
- Read about Geothermal Energy and Rare-Earth Mining to see the future of the industry
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor