Colorado Median
$61,020
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.34
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#17 of 49
820 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in Colorado?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining working in Colorado earn a median salary of $61,020 per year, or about $29.34 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $57,430 for this occupation.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $49,400 while the top 10% make $94,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,510 and $79,390 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,400 | $23.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,510 | $27.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,020 | $29.34 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $79,390 | $38.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,930 | $45.64 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 17th 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 $74,680California $74,500Montana $65,850Connecticut $65,710Washington $64,270Nevada $63,810Indiana $61,910West Virginia $61,330Oregon $61,280Minnesota $61,260Arizona $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 Colorado
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 Colorado pay ($61,020) 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 Colorado?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Colorado is $61,020 per year, or about $29.34 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,400 at the entry level to $94,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 6% more than the national median of $57,430. Colorado ranks 17th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,020 a year. About 820 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.