Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in 2026
How Much Do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Minings Make?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Minings earn a median annual salary of $52,550 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,650 at the 10th percentile to $80,970 at the 90th percentile — a range of $41,320. The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $105,490.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,650 |
| 25th percentile | $46,290 |
| Median (50th) | $52,550 |
| 75th percentile | $63,630 |
| 90th percentile | $80,970 |
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jerseytop | $105,490 |
| Minnesota | $79,060 |
| Alaska | $78,690 |
| North Dakota | $76,690 |
| Wyoming | $76,160 |
| Massachusetts | $74,300 |
| California | $73,580 |
| Indiana | $68,200 |
| Maryland | $65,060 |
| Montana | $64,740 |
| West Virginia | $62,930 |
| Washington | $62,530 |
| District of Columbia | $62,400 |
| Illinois | $62,320 |
| Colorado | $61,660 |
| New Hampshire | $60,730 |
| Oregon | $60,230 |
| Connecticut | $60,020 |
| Vermont | $59,200 |
| Wisconsin | $57,830 |
| New Mexico | $57,160 |
| Idaho | $57,140 |
| Arizona | $57,110 |
| Nevada | $56,510 |
| New York | $56,460 |
| Ohio | $56,020 |
| Missouri | $55,500 |
| Maine | $55,340 |
| Delaware | $55,300 |
| Michigan | $53,770 |
| Virginia | $53,770 |
| Utah | $52,240 |
| Iowa | $52,170 |
| South Dakota | $51,920 |
| North Carolina | $50,840 |
| Nebraska | $50,020 |
| Kansas | $49,670 |
| Georgia | $48,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,730 |
| Texas | $47,840 |
| Florida | $47,220 |
| Tennessee | $47,110 |
| Kentucky | $46,480 |
| Alabama | $46,130 |
| South Carolina | $46,130 |
| Arkansas | $45,270 |
| Oklahoma | $44,990 |
| Louisiana | $43,670 |
| Mississippi | $41,000 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Minings
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$39,650 – $46,290 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$52,550 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$63,630 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $80,970+ |
How to Earn More as an Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Minings in West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area earn $111,600 — $59,050 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($63,630) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Miningthis career | $52,550 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $42,580 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,730 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operator | $51,650 |
| Pile Driver Operator | $70,510 |
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SOC: 47-5022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.