Illinois Median
$80,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+40% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#2 of 49
1,310 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in Illinois?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in Illinois take home a median of $80,600 annually — roughly $38.75 an hour — which runs 40% above the national median of $57,430.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $46,130 while the top 10% make $93,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,720 and $87,580 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,130 | $22.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,720 | $27.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $80,600 | $38.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $87,580 | $42.11 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,290 | $44.85 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 2nd 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 $90,380New 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 $61,260Colorado $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($80,600) 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 Illinois?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Illinois is $80,600 per year, or about $38.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,130 at the entry level to $93,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 40% more than the national median of $57,430. Illinois ranks 2nd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $80,600 a year. About 1,310 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary report
Related salaries
$58,340
median pay · 26,000 employed
$43,780
median pay · 22,000 employed
$49,400
median pay · 225,000 employed
$56,460
median pay · 24,000 employed
$42,670
median pay · 64,000 employed
$57,080
median pay · 58,000 employed
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.