For America’s 95,000 coal miners, Labor Day is about more than marking the end of summer. It is a time to reflect on and appreciate the skill, hard work, and determination of the men and women whose careers helped build this nation and continue to power and sustain it today.
First celebrated in 1882 and established as a federal holiday in 1894, Labor Day recognizes the “social and economic achievement of American workers.” Few workers embody that contribution more clearly than America’s coal miners.
Every day, tens of thousands of coal miners go to work producing the fuel that helps keep America’s lights on, factories running, and the economy moving. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that coal will produce nearly 700 billion kilowatts of electricity this year. That is enough power to light more than 65 million homes. In addition to the power production benefits, the EIA also notes that coal exports are up 32 percent year-over-year, increasing our nation’s GDP.
Those numbers alone are reason enough to tip our hats to these essential professionals, whose work is too often invisible to the millions of Americans who rely on it every day.
These are also precisely the kinds of jobs our nation should be fighting to preserve and create. Our research shows that coal mining directly employs approximately 95,000 Americans and supports another 211,000 indirect jobs. And these are good-paying jobs. NMA’s latest coal wage data shows that the average U.S. coal miner earns more than $112,000 annually. For reference, that is 48 percent more than the average wage earner across U.S. private industry.
It cannot be emphasized enough that, for generations, these jobs have provided family-sustaining careers in communities where those opportunities matter. It’s a story that is familiar not only to coal country, but everywhere our nation seeks to access critical mining resources.
The President understands the urgent need for these skilled laborers. That is why the Administration’s recent focus on rebuilding America’s mining workforce is particularly timely.
On August 7, President Trump convened mining industry and education leaders in Washington and announced more than $180 million for mining education and workforce development, part of a broader effort to expand domestic mining and strengthen the supply chains that depend on it.
The initiative includes $100 million to support U.S. mining schools, with the goal of doubling the number of graduates earning mining, minerals, and related supply-chain degrees. This investment recognizes an essential truth: America cannot strengthen its mining industry without strengthening the workforce behind it.
Modern mining depends on equipment operators and electricians, engineers and geologists, technicians and mechanics, safety professionals, and many other highly trained workers. As experienced miners retire, attracting and preparing the next generation must be a national priority.
The Administration is right to invest in that workforce. But building a workforce pipeline also requires ensuring there is a strong American mining industry waiting on the other end.
We cannot encourage young Americans to pursue careers in mining while pursuing policies that eliminate the mines, power plants, and jobs on which those careers depend. Workforce policy and energy policy must pull in the same direction.
As we near Labor Day, I encourage you to recognize the coal miners doing essential work for you and me and to support those who will follow them in this noble career. America needs its miners. Investing in them, and in the industries that employ these workers, is a cause we can all stand behind as we mark this day of reflection.