Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

Also Called: Dragline Oiler, Dragline Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Loader Operator

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$38,080

Entry Salary

Average

Job outlook

What Excavating & Loading Machine & 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.

  • 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.
Industry Areas:

Transportation

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • Duration of Typical Work Week
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Work With Work Group or Team

Tools

  • Earthmoving buckets or its parts or accessories
  • Mobile excavators
  • Flatbed trailers
  • Levels
  • Draglines

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Electronic mail software
Email software
Google Gmail

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Active Listening

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
mechanical
building and construction
Safety and Government
public safety and security

Education

  • 71% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 23% Less than high school diploma
  • 6% Post-secondary certificate

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Billing & Posting Clerks

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Industrial Production Managers

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Atlanta - Job Corps

    Atlanta, Georgia

  • Excelsior Springs - Job Corps

    Excelsior Springs, Missouri

ACT & College

  • Atlantic Technical Center

    Coconut Creek, FL

  • Bakersfield College

    Bakersfield, CA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity

Values

  • Support
  • Independence
  • Relationships

Abilities

  • Controlled Movement
  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Spatial
  • Vision

This is what Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operators, Surface Mining across the country typically make.

$18.31 / hour
$38,080 /year

Entry Level

$24.06 / hour
$50,050 /year

Median Level

$37.13 / hour
$77,240 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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