CAREER

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

Overview

Salary Median (2020)

$45,150

Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)

+2.9% (slower than the average)

Most Common Level of Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Career

What Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Do

Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Other Job Titles Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining May Have

Backhoe Operator, Dragline Oiler, Dragline Operator, Equipment Operator, Excavator Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Loader Operator, Pit Operator, Track Hoe Operator

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

  • 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 with 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.

This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.