SOC 47-5022 · May 2025 · United States
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining across the United States is $57,430 per year, measured over 34,480 jobs. The highest state median is in North Dakota, at $90,380.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Pay for this occupation varies by 95.8% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. North Dakota pays $90,380 and Arkansas pays $46,170.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $90,380 | 220 | |
| 2 | Illinois | $80,600 | 1,310 | |
| 3 | New Jersey | $80,310 | 740 | |
| 4 | Wyoming | $78,230 | 420 | |
| 5 | New Mexico | $76,350 | 270 | |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $76,070 | 280 | |
| 7 | Alaska | $74,680 | 140 | |
| 8 | California | $74,500 | 790 | |
| 9 | Montana | $65,850 | 150 | |
| 10 | Connecticut | $65,710 | 280 |
States with the most Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining jobs
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento | $142,970 | 40 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $122,410 | 90 |
| 3 | New York | $94,960 | 880 |
| 4 | Chicago | $87,060 | 570 |
| 5 | Farmington | $85,880 | 50 |
| 6 | San Jose | $82,560 | 30 |
| 7 | Minneapolis | $81,180 | 210 |
| 8 | Boston | $76,110 | 180 |
| 9 | College Station | $75,440 | 60 |
| 10 | New Haven | $75,110 | 70 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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