Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Hourly Pay
Median hourly wage: $27.61
Hourly Wage Percentiles
| Percentile | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $20.00 |
| 25th | $23.03 |
| Median | $27.61 |
| 75th | $31.60 |
| 90th | $39.61 |
Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $27.61; the mean hourly wage is $28.81.
What is the entry-level hourly pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $20.00 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.
What is the top hourly pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining?
Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $39.61 per hour.