Occupation salary profile

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

SOC 47-5022 BLS OEWS May 2025

Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

National median · BLS
$57,430
▲ +9.29% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$59,930
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
34,480
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted) Loading…
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Pay range for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$41,600
25th$47,890
Median (50th)$57,430
75th$65,730
90th — top pay$82,400

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Monthly—
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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

BLS projects employment of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
34,700 → 35,000
+400 jobs
Projected change
+1%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
2,400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Plus less than 5 years experience
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Operation and Control4.1
  • Operations Monitoring3.6
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Active Learning3.0
  • Active Listening3.0
  • Complex Problem Solving3.0
  • Coordination3.0
  • Critical Thinking3.0
  • Equipment Maintenance3.0
  • Equipment Selection3.0
Top knowledge areas
  • Mechanical3.2
  • Building and Construction3.2
  • Public Safety and Security3.0
  • English Language2.6
  • Mathematics2.6
  • Design2.4
  • Administration and Management2.4
  • Transportation2.3
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordEmail softwareGoogle GmailMachine control systemsMachine monitoring software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining do

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
  • Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
  • Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
  • Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
  • Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
  • Create or maintain inclines or ramps.
Also called
Dragline OilerDragline OperatorHeavy Equipment OperatorLoader OperatorBackhoe OperatorEquipment OperatorExcavator OperatorPit OperatorTrack Hoe Operator
More job titles for this occupation (55)
Aerial Tram OperatorAir Shovel OperatorBack Digger OperatorBack Filler OperatorBack Hoe Machine OperatorBack Hoe OperatorClam Shovel OperatorCoal Equipment OperatorDiesel Scoop OperatorEarth Moving Equipment OperatorEarth Moving Machine OperatorEarth Moving TechnicianElectric Scoop OperatorElectric Shovel OperatorEnd Loader OperatorExcavation OperatorExcavatorExcavator Backhoe OperatorFoundation DiggerGas Shovel OperatorHarvester OperatorHorseback ExcavatorHydro Excavation OperatorMechanical Shovel OperatorMining Backhoe OperatorMining Bulldozer OperatorMining Earth Moving Equipment OperatorMining End Loader OperatorMining Excavator OperatorMining Payloader OperatorMining Shovel OperatorMining Yard Loader OperatorMucking Machine OperatorPayloader Machine OperatorPayloader OperatorPit Shovel OperatorPlunger Scoop OperatorPlunger Shovel OperatorPower Digger OperatorPower Shovel OperatorScoop DriverScoop OperatorSeptic Tank InstallerSeptic Tank SetterShift OperatorShovel OperatorSteam Shovel OperatorSteam ShovelmanStripper Shovel OperatorTower Excavator OperatorTram OperatorTrench Shovel OperatorTrencher DriverTrenching Machine OperatorYard Loader Operator

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.