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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $52,550 in the US and is projected to decline by 40% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Coordination, Equipment Maintenance.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £38,301 a year for Mining and quarry workers and related operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8132). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Design
- Administration and Management
- Transportation
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining do?
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
How much does Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn?
The median annual salary for Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the US is $52,550.
What is the job outlook for Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining?
The role is projected to decline by 40% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 35,800 workers.
How do I become excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Coordination, Equipment Maintenance, Repairing. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining?
Our AI-durability model gives Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.