Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
SOC Code: 47-5022
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Minings move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 88.8/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control.
AI-Proof Score: 88.8 — Very High
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Median Salary
$52,550
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Job Growth
-0.4%
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Training Time
Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)
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Job Zone
Zone 2 / 5
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Training Cost
~$5,000
Key Skills
- •Operation and Control
- •Operations Monitoring
- •Repairing
- •Equipment Maintenance
- •Coordination
- •Monitoring
- •Equipment Selection
Common Tasks
- ✓Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
- ✓Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
- ✓Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
- ✓Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- ✓Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
Training & Resources
Why AI-Proof?
- ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
- ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
- ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
- ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation