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What You Need to Know About Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator
Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator Definition Operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to excavate and load loose materials.
Life As an Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator: What Do They Do?
- Adjust dig face angles for varying overburden depths and set lengths.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
- Direct workers engaged in placing blocks or outriggers to prevent capsizing of machines when lifting heavy loads.
- Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
- Direct ground workers engaged in activities such as moving stakes or markers, or changing positions of towers.
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Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator Skills
When polled, Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator
- Hydro Excavation Operator
- Diesel Scoop Operator
- Dragline Operator
- Trenching Machine Operator
- Excavation Operator
Job Demand for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 50,600 jobs in the United States for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,100 new jobs for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator are Utah, Texas, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Maine, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator Average Salary
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators make between $29,580 and $74,460 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators who work in Wyoming, Alaska, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,620 |
| Alaska | $73,380 |
| Arizona | $48,340 |
| Arkansas | $50,540 |
| California | $65,510 |
| Colorado | $53,310 |
| Connecticut | $61,480 |
| Delaware | $50,000 |
| District of Columbia | $51,710 |
| Florida | $39,720 |
| Georgia | $40,020 |
| Hawaii | $56,090 |
| Idaho | $44,000 |
| Illinois | $50,970 |
| Indiana | $44,830 |
| Iowa | $44,740 |
| Kansas | $48,120 |
| Kentucky | $42,340 |
| Louisiana | $44,290 |
| Maine | $43,070 |
| Maryland | $50,910 |
| Massachusetts | $59,990 |
| Michigan | $46,830 |
| Minnesota | $55,870 |
| Mississippi | $40,960 |
| Missouri | $51,130 |
| Montana | $47,920 |
| Nebraska | $40,950 |
| Nevada | $62,390 |
| New Hampshire | $44,590 |
| New Jersey | $71,690 |
| New Mexico | $45,190 |
| New York | $72,400 |
| North Carolina | $41,940 |
| North Dakota | $62,300 |
| Ohio | $42,330 |
| Oklahoma | $44,060 |
| Oregon | $48,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,800 |
| Rhode Island | $52,480 |
| South Carolina | $49,240 |
| South Dakota | $40,220 |
| Tennessee | $39,740 |
| Texas | $39,500 |
| Utah | $47,180 |
| Vermont | $41,290 |
| Virginia | $42,710 |
| Washington | $53,930 |
| West Virginia | $49,550 |
| Wisconsin | $54,020 |
| Wyoming | $71,730 |
What Tools do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Google Gmail
How to Become an Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator
What education is needed to be an Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator?
What work experience do I need to become an Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator?
Where do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators Work?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those who work as an Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Helpers–Extraction Workers
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Roof Bolters, Mining
- Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.