Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in Washington
Want to work as an Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in Washington? Below are the key facts. Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
What do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Make in Washington?
For excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining working in Washington, the typical annual salary is $62,530 per year (or about $30.06/hour).Pay can range from $49,330 at the 10th percentile to $86,310 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| 25th percentile | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Median (50th) | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| 75th percentile | $76,280 | $36.67 |
| 90th percentile | $86,310 | $41.49 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Washington relative to the national average — is 0.97.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn a median of $42,921 per year ($20.64/hour), exceeding the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 698,748 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining nationwide. In Washington alone, about 760 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 580 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining.
Top Washington Metros for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
The largest metro-area employers of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 270 | $67,080 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 40 | $65,030 |
Top States for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Employment
View the states that employ the most excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 4,910 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,660 |
| Florida | 1,660 |
| Virginia | 1,480 |
| New York | 1,410 |
| Georgia | 1,390 |
| Oklahoma | 1,270 |
| Ohio | 1,040 |
| Illinois | 1,020 |
| Indiana | 950 |
| California | 900 |
| New Jersey | 840 |
| Colorado | 820 |
| Kentucky | 780 |
| West Virginia | 780 |
| Washington | 760 |
| Michigan | 750 |
| Minnesota | 740 |
| Maryland | 730 |
| Iowa | 710 |
Highest-Paying States for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Where excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn the most: excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $105,490 |
| Minnesota | $79,060 |
| Alaska | $78,690 |
| North Dakota | $76,690 |
| Wyoming | $76,160 |
| Massachusetts | $74,300 |
| California | $73,580 |
| Indiana | $68,200 |
| Maryland | $65,060 |
| Montana | $64,740 |
Skills
The most important excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining typically:
- 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.
- Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or bucket teeth.
- Handle slides, mud, or pit cleanings or maintenance.
- Direct workers engaged in placing blocks or outriggers to prevent capsizing of machines when lifting heavy loads.
- Measure and verify levels of rock or gravel, bases, or other excavated material.
Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Ground Transportation
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Related Careers
Related occupations to excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining include:
- Agricultural Equipment Operators
- Construction Laborers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Pile Driver Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Also Known As
Aerial Tram Operator, Air Shovel Operator, Back Digger Operator, Back Filler Operator, Back Hoe Machine Operator, Back Hoe Operator, Backhoe Operator, Clam Shovel Operator, Coal Equipment Operator, Diesel Scoop Operator, Dragline Oiler, Dragline Operator, Earth Moving Equipment Operator, Earth Moving Machine Operator, Earth Moving Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-5022.00