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Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in North Dakota

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in North Dakota?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$90,380
Median Annual Salary
▲ +17.9% vs 2024
$88,100
Mean Salary
$90,380
Median Salary
$43.45
Hourly Rate
220 people work as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary by percentile in North Dakota

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in North Dakota — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota.10thBottom 10% earn less than $50,440$50,44025th25% earn less than $59,930$59,930MedianHalf earn more than $90,380$90,38075th75% earn less than $120,080$120,08090thTop 10% earn more than $123,880$123,880

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota earn a median salary of $90,380 per year ($7,531/month). This is 51.2% above the national average of $59,780. North Dakota ranks #1 out of 49 states for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay. Approximately 220 people work in this occupation across North Dakota. Salaries increased by 17.9% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Top Skills

Operation and Control
4.12
Operations Monitoring
3.62
Monitoring
3.12
Reading Comprehension
3.0
Active Listening
3.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Mechanical
3.24
Building and Construction
3.17
Public Safety and Security
2.97
English Language
2.65
Mathematics
2.63
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (71.1% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota

Salaries for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota range from $50,440 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $123,880 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $59,930 and $120,080.

Median $90,380
P10: $50,440 P25: $59,930 P75: $120,080 P90: $123,880
10th
$50,440
25th
$59,930
Median
$90,380
75th
$120,080
90th
$123,880
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $50,440 $24.25 $4,203
25th Percentile $59,930 $28.81 $4,994
Median (50th) $90,380 $43.45 $7,531
75th Percentile $120,080 $57.73 $10,006
90th Percentile (Experienced) $123,880 $59.56 $10,323

Note: The mean (average) salary of $88,100 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#1
North Dakota ranks #1 of 49 states
$59,780
National avg. for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
+51.2%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in North Dakota adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining take-home pay in North Dakota after taxes →

Explore Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Data in North Dakota

After-Tax Take-Home Pay Hourly Wage Breakdown Cost-of-Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Employment Outlook & Job Demand

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary by State

Compare Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

Illinois $80,600 New Jersey $80,310 Wyoming $78,230 New Mexico $76,350 Massachusetts $76,070 Alaska $74,680 California $74,500 Montana $65,850 Connecticut $65,710 Washington $64,270

View all 50 states →

Related Careers in North Dakota

Explore similar occupations and their salaries in North Dakota.

Tile and Stone SettersSimilar $42,620 Drywall and Ceiling Tile InstallersSimilar $45,110 Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe CleanersSimilar $46,340 Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallSimilar $46,450 PipelayersSimilar $47,810 Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard TilesSimilar $48,050 Construction LaborersSimilar $49,070 Fence ErectorsSimilar $49,310 Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble SettersSimilar $50,120 Painters, Construction and MaintenanceSimilar $54,870

View all jobs in North Dakota →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in North Dakota?
The median annual salary for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota is $90,380 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $88,100.
What is the salary range for a Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota?
Salaries for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota range from $50,440 at the 10th percentile to $123,880 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $59,930 and $120,080.
What is the starting salary for a Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota?
Entry-level Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining positions in North Dakota typically start around $50,440 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $59,930 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 220 people are employed as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota.
What is the hourly rate for a Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in North Dakota is approximately $43.45 per hour.

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More About North Dakota

Salary Data
All Salaries in North Dakota Average Salary in North Dakota Highest Paying Jobs in North Dakota
Salary Thresholds
Jobs Over $100K in North Dakota $100K+ Jobs Without a Degree in North Dakota
Top Cities in North Dakota
Fargo Bismarck Grand Forks
Top Colleges in North Dakota
Rasmussen University-North Dakota Bismarck State College Dickinson State University Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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