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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining to increase by 1.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 34,700 to 35,000 jobs. Its estimate of 2,400 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($57,430), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (Less than 5 years) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
34,700
Projected employment (2034)
35,000
Projected change (2024–2034)
1%
Annual openings (projected average)
2,400
Pay & Preparation
$57,430
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operation and Control (4.12/5) • Operations Monitoring (3.62/5) • Monitoring (3.12/5) • Reading Comprehension (3/5) • Speaking (3/5) • Active Learning (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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