Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator

Find Schools Near

What is an Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator?

Position Description 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?

  • Perform manual labor to prepare or finish sites, such as shoveling materials by hand.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
  • 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.
  • Create or maintain inclines or ramps.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operator?

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.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Tower Excavator Operator
  • Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Back Hoe Operator
  • Excavator Operator
  • Pit Shovel Operator

Job Opportunities for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

In the United States, there were 50,600 jobs for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator in 2016. 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.

undefined

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

The salary for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators ranges between about $29,580 and $74,460 a year.

undefined

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators who work in Wyoming, Alaska, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.

How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators make in each U.S. state?

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 & Technology 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

Individuals working as an Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator have obtained the following education levels:

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

Where Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators Are Employed

undefined

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators work in the following industries:

undefined

Similar Careers

Those who work as an Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.