Tennessee Median
$49,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#40 of 49
550 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in Tennessee?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in Tennessee take home a median of $49,500 annually — roughly $23.80 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $57,430.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $40,800 while the top 10% make $76,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,880 and $59,130 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,800 | $19.62 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,880 | $22.06 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,500 | $23.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,130 | $28.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,000 | $36.54 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 40th 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 $61,260Colorado $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 $50,290Texas $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($49,500) 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 Tennessee?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Tennessee is $49,500 per year, or about $23.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,800 at the entry level to $76,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 14% less than the national median of $57,430. Tennessee ranks 40th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,500 a year. About 550 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.