47
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining is a notable career in the 47 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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| soc | 47-5022 |
| title | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining |
| onet code | 47-5022.00 |
| description | Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials. |
| job zone | 2 |
| major group | 47 |
| tot emp | 34,210 |
| a mean | 57,860 |
| a median | 52,550 |
| a pct10 | 39,650 |
| a pct25 | 46,290 |
| a pct75 | 63,630 |
| a pct90 | 80,970 |
| h mean | 27 |
| h median | 25 |
The day-to-day work of a excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining typically centers on move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, and Monitoring. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.19 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining, the most common entry qualification is a High School Diploma (71.1%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 0% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in New Jersey at $105,490 and lowest in Mississippi at $41,000 — a 2.6× spread. The top five states (New Jersey, Minnesota, Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming) average $83,218. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $105,490 | $97,490 | $54,030 | $125,130 | 840 |
| Minnesota | $79,060 | $73,360 | $49,040 | $96,260 | 740 |
| Alaska | $78,690 | $75,850 | $41,630 | $103,690 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $76,690 | $83,030 | $48,890 | $120,780 | 200 |
| Wyoming | $76,160 | $76,130 | $64,780 | $88,530 | 390 |
| Massachusetts | $74,300 | $70,000 | $47,570 | $90,830 | 190 |
| California | $73,580 | $80,730 | $49,150 | $138,050 | 900 |
| Indiana | $68,200 | $68,490 | $49,920 | $102,320 | 950 |
| Maryland | $65,060 | $63,040 | $41,850 | $77,490 | 730 |
| Montana | $64,740 | $64,620 | $46,490 | $90,530 | 170 |
| West Virginia | $62,930 | $62,110 | $46,460 | $76,080 | 780 |
| Washington | $62,530 | $67,130 | $49,330 | $86,310 | 760 |
| District of Columbia | $62,400 | $59,290 | $41,430 | $73,080 | 40 |
| Illinois | $62,320 | $64,490 | $43,930 | $88,950 | 1,020 |
| Colorado | $61,660 | $64,800 | $49,070 | $91,740 | 820 |
| New Hampshire | $60,730 | $59,440 | $35,660 | $82,900 | 250 |
| Oregon | $60,230 | $63,850 | $52,250 | $79,630 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $60,020 | $61,990 | $45,750 | $85,470 | 140 |
| Vermont | $59,200 | $56,540 | $38,990 | $72,110 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $57,830 | $58,020 | $47,530 | $71,450 | 640 |
| New Mexico | $57,160 | $61,510 | $44,270 | $83,790 | 240 |
| Idaho | $57,140 | $55,590 | $42,320 | $66,880 | 290 |
| Arizona | $57,110 | $55,730 | $39,370 | $72,020 | 370 |
| Nevada | $56,510 | $64,530 | $45,720 | $120,640 | 650 |
| New York | $56,460 | $64,880 | $43,910 | $94,520 | 1,410 |
| Ohio | $56,020 | $61,380 | $44,810 | $97,410 | 1,040 |
| Missouri | $55,500 | $53,870 | $42,430 | $61,650 | 460 |
| Maine | $55,340 | $55,840 | $46,640 | $74,320 | 270 |
| Delaware | $55,300 | $64,630 | $45,950 | $111,320 | 60 |
| Michigan | $53,770 | $56,680 | $44,960 | $73,190 | 750 |
| Virginia | $53,770 | $54,850 | $40,270 | $71,730 | 1,480 |
| Utah | $52,240 | $54,360 | $42,160 | $65,180 | 650 |
| Iowa | $52,170 | $53,880 | $40,750 | $62,700 | 710 |
| South Dakota | $51,920 | $53,390 | $45,460 | $63,540 | 270 |
| North Carolina | $50,840 | $50,950 | $36,900 | $62,150 | 450 |
| Nebraska | $50,020 | $52,420 | $42,500 | $66,130 | 360 |
| Kansas | $49,670 | $52,990 | $42,410 | $71,170 | 190 |
| Georgia | $48,910 | $50,870 | $41,770 | $61,520 | 1,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,730 | $50,820 | $38,500 | $61,070 | 1,660 |
| Texas | $47,840 | $50,580 | $37,700 | $69,450 | 4,910 |
| Florida | $47,220 | $49,560 | $37,810 | $64,400 | 1,660 |
| Tennessee | $47,110 | $46,460 | $35,060 | $58,890 | 680 |
| Kentucky | $46,480 | $51,460 | $36,220 | $66,620 | 780 |
| Alabama | $46,130 | $48,290 | $34,900 | $57,870 | 470 |
| South Carolina | $46,130 | $47,660 | $36,180 | $63,250 | 580 |
| Arkansas | $45,270 | $43,570 | $37,370 | $49,400 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $44,990 | $47,480 | $37,980 | $54,500 | 1,270 |
| Louisiana | $43,670 | $41,840 | $22,810 | $57,800 | 440 |
| Mississippi | $41,000 | $43,800 | $30,430 | $58,580 | 230 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Aerial Tram Operator or Air Shovel Operator frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining compares to others in the 47 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.