Surface Mining Machine Operators and Earth Drillers

Occupation

$56,020
National Median Salary
$26.93
Median Hourly Wage
51,620
Total Employment

Salary Distribution

$40,450
$47,200
$56,020
$66,440
$83,210

10th percentile → 25th → Median → 75th → 90th percentile

Salary Trend (2021-2024)

+18.3%
3 Year Change
$47,370
2021 Median
$56,020
2024 Median
Best Paying Industries Industry Wage Growth Where This Career Pays Above Average

Note: State and industry pay breakdowns are available for more specific job titles. See detailed occupations below.

Top Paying Industries for Surface Mining Machine Operators and Earth Drillers

Industry Annual Median Employment
Utilities $91,110 370
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution $84,980 130
Metal Ore Mining $75,280 1,040
Coal Mining $66,670 3,010
Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors $66,380 280

View all 57 industries →

Detailed Surface Mining Machine Operators and Earth Drillers Occupations

These specific job titles have more detailed state and industry salary data:

Occupation Annual Median
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas $59,600
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining $52,550

Related Occupations

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Supervisors of Construction and Extraction Workers Roof Bolters, Mining Boilermakers

Explore Surface Mining Machine Operators and Earth Drillers by Industry

See how this career performs in specific industries

Utilities Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Metal Ore Mining Coal Mining Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) Chemical Manufacturing Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors