SOC 47-5022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining — Northwestern Region of Texas
Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX is $51,150 a year, trailing the national median of $57,430 by 10.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX is $51,150 a year, trailing the national median of $57,430 by 10.9%. Half of workers earn between $45,590 and $60,470. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,700 and the ninetieth at $71,280.
The area has 270 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.4 of every thousand jobs. College Station leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $75,440. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 186th of 375 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,700 | −32.6% |
| 25th | $45,590 | −20.6% |
| Median (50th) | $51,150 | −10.9% |
| 75th | $60,470 | +5.3% |
| 90th | $71,280 | +24.1% |
| Mean | $55,140 | −4.0% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station | $75,440 | 60 | |
| 2 | Dallas | $51,780 | 990 | |
| 3 | Austin | $51,420 | 520 | |
| 4 | Odessa | $50,230 | 40 | |
| 5 | Houston | $49,920 | 890 | |
| 6 | Midland | $49,070 | 150 | |
| 7 | San Antonio | $47,970 | 540 | |
| 8 | El Paso | $46,110 | 90 | |
| 9 | McAllen | $43,980 | 50 | |
| 10 | Lubbock | $41,110 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Region of Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $51,150 goes as far as $52,678 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,150as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,678US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,150 a year, 10.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,700 to $71,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 270 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is College Station, at $75,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX?
The median annual wage is $51,150, or $24.59 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $57,430, so pay in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX is 10.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX earns more than $71,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in College Station, at $75,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 270 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Region of Texas, TX. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
Explore related data