Construction and extraction
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
Median pay
$57,430
Growth to 2035
+1%
little or no change
Openings a year
2,400
Time to qualify*
2.5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- Less than 5 years
Calculate your switch to excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining: 81% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
- Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
- Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
- Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
- Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
- Create or maintain inclines or ramps.
Also called: Backhoe Operator · Dragline Oiler · Dragline Operator · Equipment Operator · Excavator Operator · Heavy Equipment Operator · Loader Operator · Pit Operator
Outlook and AI
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining held 34,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 35,000 by 2035 (+1%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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