North Dakota Median
$90,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.45
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+57% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#1 of 49
220 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in North Dakota?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining working in North Dakota earn a median salary of $90,380 per year, or about $43.45 per hour. That is 57% above the national median of $57,430 for this occupation.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $50,440 while the top 10% make $123,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,930 and $120,080 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,440 | $24.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,930 | $28.81 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $90,380 | $43.45 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $120,080 | $57.73 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,880 | $59.56 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 1st 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
Illinois $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 $61,260Colorado $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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($90,380) 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 North Dakota?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in North Dakota is $90,380 per year, or about $43.45 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,440 at the entry level to $123,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 57% more than the national median of $57,430. North Dakota ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Yes on pay — North Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $90,380 a year. About 220 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in North Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), 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.