Hourly workers at U.S. metal and coal mines are taking home bigger paychecks this year, according to a pair of newly released studies by CostMine. While the rest of the U.S. economy lags, jobs in the mining industry continue to be strong with companies actively seeking skilled workers.

As shown on the table below, mining wages are robust with higher average wages this year. The best paid workers are consistently found in U.S. coal mines. While metal miners received higher average wages this year, they continue to make less than their counterparts in coal mines. Of the 56 metal mines reporting, 40 companies increased hourly wages an average of 3.6%, while 16 of the mines reported no change. Forty-eight coal mines increased hourly wages an average of 2.5% and 11 reported no change. The table below lists average benchmark wages and salaries selected from the survey results. The complete survey reports can be purchased from CostMine, which includes actual wage and salary scales for each of the mines, along with benefit plan profiles and bonus plan descriptions.

Sources: U.S. Metal and Industrial Mineral Mine Salaries, Wages and Benefits: 2011 Survey Results and U.S. Coal Mine Salaries, Wages and Benefits: 2011 Survey Results.

The surveys, conducted between July 2011 and January 2012, looked at 59 coal mines, 56 metal mines and 62 industrial mineral mines in the U.S. Visit InfoMine at booth #2221 at the SME convention, February 19 -22, 2012 and enter to win one of the wage and salary reports, or your choice of several other prizes