California Median
$74,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#8 of 49
790 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in California?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in California take home a median of $74,500 annually — roughly $35.82 an hour — which runs 30% above the national median of $57,430.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $54,390 while the top 10% make $142,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,240 and $98,690 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,390 | $26.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,240 | $29.44 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,500 | $35.82 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $98,690 | $47.45 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,600 | $68.56 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th out of 49 states and territories for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in other states
North Dakota $90,380Illinois $80,600New Jersey $80,310Wyoming $78,230New Mexico $76,350Massachusetts $76,070Alaska $74,680Montana $65,850Connecticut $65,710Washington $64,270Nevada $63,810Indiana $61,910West Virginia $61,330Oregon $61,280Minnesota $61,260Colorado $61,020Arizona $60,310Vermont $59,790Rhode Island $59,590Virginia $59,480Iowa $59,390Michigan $59,040Idaho $58,670North Carolina $58,620New Hampshire $58,540Nebraska $58,370Wisconsin $58,280Ohio $58,240New York $58,120Maryland $57,610Missouri $56,760Maine $55,890Utah $54,330Louisiana $53,510South Carolina $52,580Pennsylvania $52,350Florida $51,990Georgia $50,290Tennessee $49,500Texas $49,000Kansas $48,950Mississippi $48,490South Dakota $48,250Kentucky $47,780Alabama $47,770Oklahoma $47,100Delaware $46,900Arkansas $46,170
Working as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in California
Nationally, about 34,000 people work as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($74,500) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in California?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in California is $74,500 per year, or about $35.82 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,390 at the entry level to $142,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 30% more than the national median of $57,430. California ranks 8th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,500 a year. About 790 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.