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Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Construction · SOC 47-5022
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$57,430
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
—
Proj. Annual Openings
34,480
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.0%
Top Skills
1.Operation and Control
2.Operations Monitoring
3.Monitoring
4.Reading Comprehension
5.Active Listening
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
Common titles: Backhoe Operator, Dragline Oiler, Dragline Operator, Equipment Operator, Excavator Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator
Representative Tasks
- •Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
- •Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
- •Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
- •Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- •Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Operate excavation equipment.
- •Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
- •Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
- •Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
- •Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Excel · hotMicrosoft Office software · hotMicrosoft Outlook · hotMicrosoft PowerPoint · hotEmail softwareGoogle GmailMachine control systemsMachine monitoring software
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
0
Occupations Shown
0.0%
Avg AI Exposure
0
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Outlook | Average | 0% Bright |
| Median Salary | $57,430 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |