Montana Median
$65,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#9 of 49
150 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in Montana?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining working in Montana earn a median salary of $65,850 per year, or about $31.66 per hour. That is 15% above the national median of $57,430 for this occupation.
Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $40,990 while the top 10% make $92,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,430 and $81,480 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in Montana
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,990 | $19.71 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $52,430 | $25.21 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,850 | $31.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,480 | $39.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,910 | $44.67 |
|
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 9th 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 $74,500Connecticut $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 Montana
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 Montana pay ($65,850) 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 Montana?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Montana is $65,850 per year, or about $31.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,990 at the entry level to $92,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 15% more than the national median of $57,430. Montana ranks 9th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Yes on pay — Montana pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,850 a year. About 150 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in Montana. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), 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.