Occupations/47-5022.00
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
62%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
42%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
55%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
- Mostly routine
Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
- Mostly routine
Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
- 02Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
- 03Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
- 04Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- 05Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
- 06Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.27
- Degree of automation1.73
- Time sitting4.04
- Originality (ability)2.00
- Conflict situations2.35
- Hands-on objects/tools4.72
- Outdoors / weather4.10
- Disease exposure1.21
- Decision freedom4.06
Top abilities
- Multilimb Coordination4.12
- Control Precision4.12
- Depth Perception4.00
- Reaction Time3.88
- Manual Dexterity3.88
- Response Orientation3.75
- Rate Control3.75
- Far Vision3.75
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.00
- Active Listening3.00
- Writing2.50
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.25
- Science1.00
- Critical Thinking3.00
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.38
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
2 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |