A MAN who claimed he had no skills or education now earns more than a doctor doing the world’s filthiest job.
Cory Rockwell, 38, now makes $160k (£130k) a year as a miner after turning his life around since reaching his wits’ end.
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The American said he felt “lost” after admittedly lacking direction in his life, and feeling trapped in Los Angeles.
Cory even tried and failed to secure work at a local supermarket, before being handed a lifeline to work as a miner.
As reported by the Daily Star, he told Insider: “I was lost and had no idea what I wanted to do.
“At the time, I had no education, no skills, no girlfriend, and no kid.
“I knew if I didn’t get out of LA now I’d be stuck here forever.”
The miner has since bagged himself a seven-figure salary and become a TikTok star, where he documents his working life on the social media platform.
But Corey’s life changing decision meant he had to move far away from the glitz and glam of LA.
Mining temp agency, Geotemps, offered Cory a six-month job in Orovada, Nevada – 630 miles away.
However, he would end up working for four years in surface mines.
Eventually, Corey was determined to make a switch underground and he now works as an underground miner at Nevada Copper in the town of Yerington.
He claims to love the grubby work and “strives to be the dirtiest person in the mine”.
Cory added: “Now, I’m an underground miner – and the job saved my life.”
The former LA resident rakes in an eye watering $37 (£30) per hour – with a bonus of up to an extra $30 (£24) an hour.
He said: “The pay is good, too. The most I’ve made in a year is $160,000, though the annual salary depends on a variety of factors.”
But the responsibility of detonating explosives to release copper ore, and making sure the mine is safe before his colleagues return down the pi, is what’s earning Corey top money.
Naturally, however, the job comes with plenty of danger.
Whether it’s “boiling water coming out the walls”, falling rubble or fire being the “biggest threat” – life down the mine can be “scary”.
While the money is good however, Corey needs to grind out 12-hour shifts, seven days every other week, to earn it.
And that begins at 6am, where he remains deep in the earth in darkness until his shift ends at 6pm.
The miner explained: “By the time I get home, I’m so mentally, physically, and emotionally worn out that I can easily sleep for 20 hours.”
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But despite the arduous graft, danger and long hours, the job has “saved” Cory’s life.
He concluded: “Despite these conditions, I love my job. In fact, I strive to be the dirtiest person in the mine.”
