$98B
Total U.S. non-fuel mineral production value in 2023
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
~340,000
U.S. workers employed in mining (excl. oil & gas), 2023
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
$104,000
Mean annual wage for mining and geological engineers, 2023
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
$756B+
Total economic contribution of the broader U.S. mining sector including coal and oil & gas
— USGS Mineral Resources Program, 2024
The U.S. mining industry is far larger than most people realize. Every home, road, bridge, and electronic device contains raw materials extracted from the earth — and American mines produce an enormous quantity of those materials. This page brings together 40+ statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, and USGS Mineral Industry Surveys to give a clear, data-backed picture of the size, scope, and economic importance of U.S. mining in 2026. From employment and wages to per-state production rankings and safety trends, these figures reveal an industry that underpins modern American infrastructure and is experiencing renewed investment driven by critical mineral demand and the energy transition.
Total Mineral Output & Production Value
$98 billion
Total U.S. non-fuel mineral production value in 2023, covering metals, industrial minerals, and gemstones.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
$57 billion
Value of U.S. industrial mineral production in 2023 — crushed stone, sand, gravel, cement, and phosphate lead by value.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
$41 billion
Value of U.S. metal mining production in 2023 — led by copper, gold, iron ore, and molybdenum.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
The U.S. is a net exporter of several key minerals and a net importer of many others. The USGS tracks the trade balance for each commodity separately. Potash, lithium, and many critical minerals show significant import dependence; gold, copper, and molybdenum are net export contributors. — USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
1.5 billion tonnes
U.S. crushed stone production in 2023 — the highest-volume non-fuel mineral by weight, used primarily in road construction and concrete.
— USGS Mineral Industry Surveys, 2024
$22 billion
Value of U.S. crushed stone production in 2023 — the single largest industrial mineral commodity by value.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
Mining Employment & Wages
~340,000
Workers employed in U.S. mining (excluding oil and gas extraction) in 2023.
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2024
600,000+
Total U.S. mining and extraction employment when oil, gas, and coal sectors are included.
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
$104,000/yr
Mean annual wage for mining and geological engineers in 2023 — one of the highest-earning engineering specializations.
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2024
$65,000–$75,000/yr
Average annual earnings for production-level workers in metal mining — significantly above the national median for non-college jobs.
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
2–3 indirect jobs
Number of additional jobs created in the broader economy for each direct mining position, through supply chains, logistics, and services.
— USGS Mineral Resources Program, Economic Impact Analysis, 2023
7.5% growth
Projected employment growth for mining and geological engineers through 2032, driven by critical mineral demand.
— U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024
Top Mining States
Nevada
#1 in metal mining value — gold, silver, lithium, and copper make Nevada the U.S.'s most valuable metal mining state.
— USGS Mineral Industry Surveys, 2024
Arizona
#1 in copper production — accounts for roughly 70% of U.S. copper mine output from open-pit operations in the southern part of the state.
— USGS Mineral Industry Surveys, 2024
Minnesota
#1 in iron ore — the Mesabi Iron Range produces the vast majority of U.S. iron ore, supplying domestic steel mills.
— USGS Mineral Industry Surveys, 2024
Wyoming
#1 in coal and soda ash production — also a significant producer of trona, bentonite, and uranium.
— USGS Mineral Industry Surveys, 2024
Alaska
Largest identified mineral resource base in the U.S. by estimated value — gold, copper, molybdenum, and zinc all in world-class deposits.
— USGS Mineral Resources Program, 2023
1.1M tonnes
U.S. copper mine production in 2023 — 4th largest globally, with the majority from Arizona's open-pit operations.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
170 tonnes
U.S. gold mine production in 2023, making the U.S. the 4th largest gold producer globally.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
26 million tonnes
U.S. iron ore production in 2023 — supplying domestic blast furnaces and electric arc furnaces for steel production.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
43,000 tonnes
U.S. molybdenum production in 2023 — the U.S. is the world's second-largest molybdenum producer after China.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
Industrial Minerals & Construction
850 million tonnes
U.S. sand and gravel production in 2023 — the second-highest-volume non-fuel mineral after crushed stone.
— USGS Mineral Industry Surveys, 2024
87 million tonnes
U.S. portland cement production in 2023, valued at approximately $16 billion at the plant level.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
32 million tonnes
U.S. phosphate rock production in 2023 — the U.S. is the world's 3rd largest producer, with Florida and Idaho as leading states.
— USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024
Mine Safety Statistics
<30
Metal and non-metal mine fatalities in 2023 — a historic low, down from thousands of deaths per year in the early 1900s.
— Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), 2024
1977
Year the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act was signed, creating MSHA and establishing mandatory federal safety standards for all U.S. mines.
— Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), 2024
Broader Economic Impact
Every $1
Of non-fuel minerals mined domestically generates an estimated $3.39 in downstream processing, manufacturing, and fabricated product value.
— USGS Mineral Resources Program, 2024
~$756 billion
Estimated total economic contribution of U.S. mining (including coal, oil, and gas) to GDP in 2023.
— USGS Mineral Resources Program, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in U.S. mining?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 340,000 workers employed in mining (excluding oil and gas) in 2023. When oil, gas, and coal extraction are included, total mining and extraction employment exceeds 600,000. Each direct mining job supports an estimated 2–3 additional jobs in the broader economy through supply chains, logistics, and services.
What is the total value of U.S. mineral production?
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries report total U.S. non-fuel mineral production value at approximately $98 billion in 2023, covering both metallic ($41 billion) and industrial minerals ($57 billion). Crushed stone, sand and gravel, copper, gold, and iron ore are the leading commodities by value.
What are mining wages in the United States?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports mean annual wages for mining and geological engineers at approximately $104,000 in 2023. Production workers in metal mining averaged $65,000–$75,000 annually — well above the national median wage, making mining one of the highest-paying industries for non-college production workers.
Which U.S. states have the largest mining industries?
Nevada leads in metal mining value (gold, silver, lithium), Arizona leads in copper, Minnesota dominates iron ore production, and Wyoming leads in coal and soda ash. Alaska holds the largest identified mineral resource base in the nation by estimated value, though much of it remains undeveloped due to infrastructure and permitting challenges.
How safe is U.S. mining compared to historical rates?
U.S. mining fatality rates have declined dramatically over the past century. MSHA reports that metal and non-metal mine fatalities in 2023 were fewer than 30 — a historic low compared to thousands per year in the early 1900s. Improved safety technology, mandatory federal regulation under the 1977 Mine Safety and Health Act, and better training have all contributed to this improvement.
📎 Cite This Page
RockhoundGuide. "U.S. Mining Industry Statistics 2026: Employment, Output & Economic Impact." RockhoundGuide.com. April 2026. https://rockhoundguide.com/stats/us-mining-industry-statistics-2026