# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/excavating-and-loading-machine-and-dragline-operators-surface-mining
- SOC code: 47-5022.00
- Career family: Construction and extraction
- Median annual pay: $57,430 (10th percentile $41,600, 90th percentile $82,400)
- Projected growth: Slower than average, +1.0%
- Openings a year: 2,400
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 23 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 43 |

## What you'd do

- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 91/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 85/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 85/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 77/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 77/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 76/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 75/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 73/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 72/100)

## Skills

Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Active Learning, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Selection

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Building and Construction, Public Safety and Security, English Language, Mathematics, Design, Administration and Management, Transportation, Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training

## Also called

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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Ground Transportation](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4902) (CIP 4902, 213 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Ground Transportation | $54,938 | $62,389 | $12,000 |

## Related careers

- [Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/operating-engineers-and-other-construction-equipment-operators): $59,850 median pay
- [Construction Laborers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/construction-laborers): $47,120 median pay
- [Hoist and Winch Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hoist-and-winch-operators): $56,450 median pay
- [Continuous Mining Machine Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/continuous-mining-machine-operators): $61,810 median pay
- [Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mobile-heavy-equipment-mechanics-except-engines): $65,510 median pay
- [Crane and Tower Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/crane-and-tower-operators): $68,080 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.