Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay in California
In California, the median pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining is $35.82 an hour ($74,500 a year). About 790 people work in this job there.
That is 30% higher than the U.S. median ($57,430). California ranks 8th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $26.15 | $54,390 |
| 25% of workers | $29.44 | $61,240 |
| Half of workers (median) | $35.82 | $74,500 |
| 75% of workers | $47.45 | $98,690 |
| 90% of workers | $68.56 | $142,600 |
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $142,970 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $122,410 | 90 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $82,560 | 30 |
| Fresno | $74,390 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $69,240 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $65,260 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $64,400 | 100 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +1% over ten years, little or no change · about 2,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 |
| Construction Laborers | $60,270 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $78,550 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $79,570 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $66,910 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operators | $62,790 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $62,580 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.