A mining civil engineer in Chile earns on average between 2.1 million and more than 3.5 million pesos gross a month in the fourth year after graduating, depending on the university, according to the Mi Futuro employability and income search tool. Graduates of the University of Chile, the University of Santiago and the University of Atacama are in the "over 3.5 million" band, the highest the tool reports.
Mining is the country's main export industry and pays accordingly: Mining Civil Engineering shares the Mi Futuro ceiling with Medicine and a few other degrees. But not all mining degrees are worth the same. This guide shows how much a mining engineer earns in Chile by university, the difference between the civil engineering degree and the shorter execution engineering degrees, employability and how it compares with related careers.
How much does a mining civil engineer earn in Chile by university
| University | Gross monthly income, year 4 | Employability, year 1 | Employability, year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chile | Over 3.5 million | 92.3% | 98.2% |
| University of Santiago de Chile | Over 3.5 million | 91.9% | 97.7% |
| University of Atacama | Over 3.5 million | 88.3% | 96.4% |
| Católica del Norte University | 3 to 3.5 million | 80.5% | 93.5% |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso | 2.5 to 3 million | 72.6% | 88.1% |
| University of La Serena | 2.5 to 3 million | 91.2% | 91.8% |
| Andrés Bello University | 2.1 to 2.2 million | 62.7% | 82.0% |
| Concepción, Federico Santa María, Talca and San Sebastián universities | No data | 83.8%, 87.2%, 64.9% and 69.2% | 93.8%, 91.5%, 77.5% and 71.9% |
| Arturo Prat and Antofagasta universities | No data | 73.2% and 82.9% | No data |
Source: Mi Futuro, Mining Civil Engineering degree, accessed on November 3, 2026. Of 13 programs listed, 7 have income data. According to the methodology, the figure is the average gross monthly income of 2018, 2019 and 2020 graduates in their fourth year, calculated with SII data, in September 2025 pesos. "No data" means the program does not reach the minimum number of cases, not that its graduates earn little.
The gap between universities is large: more than 1.3 million pesos a month separate Andrés Bello University's band from that of the top three. Universities with a long mining tradition, or located in the mining regions of Atacama, Antofagasta and Coquimbo, concentrate the top bands.
Mining engineer or mining civil engineer: how much pay changes
Besides the six-year civil engineering degree, there are mining engineering and mining execution engineering degrees, which are shorter and are also taught by professional institutes. They pay less:
| Institution | Degree | Gross income, year 4 | Employability, year 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Aconcagua | Mining Engineering | 2.5 to 3 million | 81.0% |
| University of Santiago de Chile | Mining Execution Engineering | 2.3 to 2.4 million | 73.8% |
| University of La Serena | Mining Execution Engineering | 2 to 2.1 million | 80.0% |
| IP de Chile | Mining Engineering | 1.7 to 1.8 million | 74.3% |
| IP Inacap | Mining Engineering | 1.7 to 1.8 million | 76.8% |
| University of the Americas | Mining Engineering | 1.7 to 1.8 million | 70.0% |
| IP Dr. Virginio Gómez | Mining Execution Engineering | 1.4 to 1.5 million | 59.2% |
| University of Atacama | Mining Execution Engineering | No data | 80.3% |
Source: Mi Futuro, Mining Engineering degree, accessed on November 3, 2026. Mi Futuro reports that the University of Aconcagua is not accredited. In most cases, mining engineering pays between 1.4 and 2.4 million pesos in year 4, below the civil engineering range.
Employability and length of the degree
| Indicator | Mining Civil Engineering | Mining and Execution Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Employability, year 1 (average) | 80.1% (62.7% to 92.3%) | 74.4% (59.2% to 81.0%) |
| Employability, year 2 (average) | 89.3% (71.9% to 98.2%) | 78.7% (67.7% to 84.9%) |
| Actual length (average) | 15.3 semesters | 12.2 semesters |
| First-year retention (average) | 80.8% | 71.7% |
Source: Mi Futuro; simple averages calculated by VIVARAE NEWS over the programs with data. Employability rises sharply from the first to the second year, typical of an industry that hires by project and site. Mining jobs depend on the copper cycle: Chilean output falls this year, according to Cochilco's latest forecast, and operations such as Escondida have posted sharp production drops.
How much does a mining engineer earn compared with other careers
| Degree | Gross income in year 4 (Mi Futuro) | Programs with data |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 3 million to over 3.5 million | 21 of 22 |
| Mining Civil Engineering | 2.1 million to over 3.5 million | 7 of 13 |
| Metallurgical Civil Engineering | 2.1 million to over 3.5 million | 6 of 7 |
| Geology | 2.1 to 3 million | 4 of 9 |
| Civil (Construction) Engineering | 1.7 to 2.5 million | 6 of 8 |
| Mining and Execution Engineering | 1.4 to 3 million | 7 of 8 |
| Mining Plant Operations Technician | 1.2 to 1.7 million | 8 of 10 |
Source: Mi Futuro, accessed on November 3, 2026 (amounts in Chilean pesos). More comparisons in how much an industrial engineer earns and how much a computer engineer earns.
Pay with years of experience in mining
| Stage (WageIndicator, 2026) | Net monthly salary | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Starting in the job | 1,415,720 to 2,750,770 pesos | 42 hours |
| After five years of service | 1,931,377 to 3,870,582 pesos | 42 hours |
| Full range for the occupation | 1,415,720 to 4,823,797 pesos | — |
Source: WageIndicator, mining, metallurgical and related engineers in Chile, accessed on November 3, 2026. These are estimated net amounts, not an official record. In practice, pay at large mines usually adds production bonuses, shift bonuses and collective bargaining signing bonuses, like the one agreed at the end of the Centinela strike.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mining engineer earn in Chile?
A mining civil engineer earns between 2.1 million and more than 3.5 million pesos gross a month in year 4, depending on the university, according to Mi Futuro. Mining or execution engineering generally pays between 1.4 and 2.4 million.
Which university has the best-paid mining engineers?
The University of Chile, the University of Santiago and the University of Atacama, whose graduates are in the "over 3.5 million" band in year 4.
Is it hard to find work as a mining engineer?
Mining Civil Engineering employability averages 80.1% in the first year and 89.3% in the second, with large differences between universities.
How long does the Mining Civil Engineering degree take?
In practice, about 15 semesters on average, according to the actual length reported by Mi Futuro.
