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Occupation · SOC 47-5022

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

There are 34,480 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $57,430 a year. The most jobs are in Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX.

Construction & ExtractionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
34,480
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$57,430
Median pay a year
Middle half: $47,890–$65,730
2,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +1%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 118 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $51,780 · LCA filings 0990$51,7800
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $49,920 · LCA filings 0890$49,9200
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $94,960 · LCA filings 0880$94,9600
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $56,460 · LCA filings 0630$56,4600
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $87,060 · LCA filings 0570$87,0600
San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXMedian pay $47,970 · LCA filings 0540$47,9700
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $61,040 · LCA filings 0540$61,0400
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $51,420 · LCA filings 0520$51,4200
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $56,470 · LCA filings 0430$56,4700
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYMedian pay $60,050 · LCA filings 0340$60,0500

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$142,970400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$122,410900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 880 · LCA filings 0$94,9608800
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 570 · LCA filings 0$87,0605700
Farmington, NMEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$85,880500

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $48,318 · Level III $53,539 · Level IV $58,760$43,098$48,318$53,539$58,760
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $47,299 · Level III $52,749 · Level IV $58,178$41,870$47,299$52,749$58,178
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $74,610 · Level III $89,170 · Level IV $103,750$60,029$74,610$89,170$103,750
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $52,062 · Level III $55,640 · Level IV $59,197$48,506$52,062$55,640$59,197
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $66,685 · Level III $80,122 · Level IV $93,558$53,248$66,685$80,122$93,558
San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXLevel II $45,406 · Level III $51,251 · Level IV $57,117$39,541$45,406$51,251$57,117
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $53,664 · Level III $60,549 · Level IV $67,454$46,758$53,664$60,549$67,454
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $49,462 · Level III $54,600 · Level IV $59,717$44,346$49,462$54,600$59,717
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $48,901 · Level III $56,638 · Level IV $64,355$41,184$48,901$56,638$64,355
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYLevel II $52,166 · Level III $57,678 · Level IV $63,170$46,675$52,166$57,678$63,170

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Ground TransportationCIP 49.02OPT · up to 12 months52OPT · up to 12 months

See Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in every metro area

All 118 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology