Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay in West Virginia

In West Virginia, the median pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining is $29.49 an hour ($61,330 a year). About 650 people work in this job there.

$29.49Median hourly pay
$58,680–$65,390Middle half of workers, yearly
650People in this job in West Virginia

That is 7% higher than the U.S. median ($57,430). West Virginia ranks 14th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in West Virginia

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$22.13$46,030
25% of workers$28.21$58,680
Half of workers (median)$29.49$61,330
75% of workers$31.44$65,390
90% of workers$38.14$79,320

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay in West Virginia metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Beckley$60,61090
Wheeling$53,70050
Huntington-Ashland$48,19050

West Virginia unemployment rate: 4% (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 West Virginia

JobMedian yearly pay
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$51,300
Construction Laborers$42,670
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$56,810
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$41,670
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining$74,950
Continuous Mining Machine Operators$77,570
Roof Bolters, Mining$79,400
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas$56,250

Other job titles for this job

Backhoe OperatorAerial Tram OperatorAir Shovel OperatorBack Digger OperatorBack Filler OperatorBack Hoe Machine OperatorClam Shovel OperatorCoal Equipment OperatorDiesel Scoop OperatorDragline OilerDragline OperatorEarth Moving Equipment Operator

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Source: 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.