Construction & Extraction
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Also called: Backhoe Operator, Dragline Oiler, Dragline Operator, Equipment Operator
US median pay
$57,430
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
2,400
34,700 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operation and Control4.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.6/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Repairing3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Building and Construction3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.0/5
- English Language2.6/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
- Design2.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma71%
- Less than high school23%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.