West Virginia Median
$61,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#14 of 49
650 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in West Virginia?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in West Virginia take home a median of $61,330 annually — roughly $29.49 an hour — which runs 7% above the national median of $57,430.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $46,030 while the top 10% make $79,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,680 and $65,390 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,030 | $22.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,680 | $28.21 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,330 | $29.49 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,390 | $31.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,320 | $38.13 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 14th 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 $61,910Oregon $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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($61,330) 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 West Virginia?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in West Virginia is $61,330 per year, or about $29.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,030 at the entry level to $79,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 7% more than the national median of $57,430. West Virginia ranks 14th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Yes on pay — West Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,330 a year. About 650 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are employed in West Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.