How much does a excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make?
The median excavating and loading machine and dragline operator in the United States earns $57,430 per year, about $27.61 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all excavating and loading machine and dragline operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5022.
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operator salary range
Pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $41,600 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $82,400. The average (mean) wage of $59,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,890 | $23.03 | |
| Median (50th) | $57,430 | $27.61 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $65,730 | $31.60 | |
| 90th percentile | $82,400 | $39.61 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining (SOC 47-5022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators earn the most in North Dakota at $90,380 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $46,170. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $90,380 | 220 |
| Illinois | $80,600 | 1,310 |
| New Jersey | $80,310 | 740 |
| Wyoming | $78,230 | 420 |
| New Mexico | $76,350 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $76,070 | 280 |
| Alaska | $74,680 | 140 |
| California | $74,500 | 790 |
| Montana | $65,850 | 150 |
| Connecticut | $65,710 | 280 |
| Washington | $64,270 | 640 |
| Nevada | $63,810 | 730 |
| Indiana | $61,910 | 1,530 |
| West Virginia | $61,330 | 650 |
| Oregon | $61,280 | 310 |
| Minnesota | $61,260 | 520 |
| Colorado | $61,020 | 820 |
| Arizona | $60,310 | 560 |
| Vermont | $59,790 | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $59,590 | 50 |
| Virginia | $59,480 | 1,150 |
| Iowa | $59,390 | 560 |
| Michigan | $59,040 | 880 |
| Idaho | $58,670 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $58,620 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $58,540 | 350 |
| Nebraska | $58,370 | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $58,280 | 990 |
| Ohio | $58,240 | 1,120 |
| New York | $58,120 | 1,490 |
| Maryland | $57,610 | 730 |
| Missouri | $56,760 | 310 |
| Maine | $55,890 | 230 |
| Utah | $54,330 | 400 |
| Louisiana | $53,510 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $52,580 | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,350 | 1,520 |
| Florida | $51,990 | 1,480 |
| Georgia | $50,290 | 1,180 |
| Tennessee | $49,500 | 550 |
| Texas | $49,000 | 5,030 |
| Kansas | $48,950 | 270 |
| Mississippi | $48,490 | 290 |
| South Dakota | $48,250 | 280 |
| Kentucky | $47,780 | 790 |
| Alabama | $47,770 | 410 |
| Oklahoma | $47,100 | 1,440 |
| Delaware | $46,900 | 130 |
| Arkansas | $46,170 | 250 |
State median wages for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining (SOC 47-5022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators
The BLS projects employment of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 34,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 35,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,400 openings a year for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator
The typical entry-level education for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (North Dakota, $90,380) and the lowest (Arkansas, $46,170) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 34,480 people work as excavating and loading machine and dragline operators in the United States. At $57,430 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operator salary FAQ
How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator is $27.61. The middle half of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators earn between $23.03 and $31.60 per hour.
What is the highest excavating and loading machine and dragline operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators earn more than $82,400 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make a year?
The median annual salary for an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator is $57,430. The average (mean) wage of $59,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator a well paid job?
At $57,430 a year, an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 34,480 people work as excavating and loading machine and dragline operators in the United States.
Which state pays excavating and loading machine and dragline operators the most?
North Dakota has the highest median salary for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators at $90,380 a year. Illinois ($80,600) and New Jersey ($80,310) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator a good career?
Employment of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators is projected to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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