Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
SOC: 47-5022 O*NET: 47-5022.00
Median Salary
$57,430
per year
Job Growth
📉 1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
What does a Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$41,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,890
25th percentile
Median
$57,430
50th percentile
Experienced
$65,730
75th percentile
Top Earners
$82,400
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$41,600
25th
$47,890
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$57,430
Mean: $59,930
75th
$65,730
90th
$82,400
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $40,800 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,890 and $65,730
- •Salary spread is 31.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 34,480 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:34,700
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction62.7%
Mining (except Oil and Gas)60.6%
Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying48.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1%
Annual Openings:2,400
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)34,700
Current
2035 (Projected)35,000
+1%
+400
Employment Change
+1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
Texas
5,030 jobs$49,0001.61x
Indiana
1,530 jobs$61,9102.16x
Pennsylvania
1,520 jobs$52,3501.13x
New York
1,490 jobs$58,1200.69x
Florida
1,480 jobs$51,9900.67x
Oklahoma
1,440 jobs$47,1003.80x
Illinois
1,310 jobs$80,6000.97x
Georgia
1,180 jobs$50,2901.08x
Virginia
1,150 jobs$59,4801.26x
Ohio
1,120 jobs$58,2400.91x
Wisconsin
990 jobs$58,2801.51x
Michigan
880 jobs$59,0400.90x
Colorado
820 jobs$61,0201.28x
California
790 jobs$74,5000.19x
Kentucky
790 jobs$47,7801.79x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Mechanical
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Multilimb Coordination
100%
#4
Operations Monitoring
94%
#5
Control Precision
92%
#6
Monitoring
86%
#7
Depth Perception
82%
#8
Coordination
80%
#9
Repairing
74%
#10
Reaction Time
74%
Skills Overview
Mechanical
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Multilimb Coordination
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Control Precision
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Depth Perception
intermediate4.1
82%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Mechanical
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Multilimb Coordination
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Depth Perception
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reaction Time
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Manual Dexterity
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels67%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals67%
5 shared skills
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders67%
5 shared skills
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers67%
5 shared skills
Riggers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Mechanical
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Speaking
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mechanical
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Control Precision
- ★Depth Perception
- ★Repairing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (3)General Responsibilities (7)Planning & Development (1)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or bucket teeth.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Measure and verify levels of rock or gravel, bases, or other excavated material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Adjust dig face angles for varying overburden depths and set lengths.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.31
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.94
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.68
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.61
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.61
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Integrity
3.6
Cooperation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
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