How much does a mine machine operator make?
Answer: A typical mine machine operator in the United States makes $57,430 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 34,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Mine machine operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41,600 | $57,430 | $82,400 | about 34,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $80,600 | about 1,000 |
| California | $74,500 | about 790 |
| Washington | $64,270 | about 640 |
| Nevada | $63,810 | about 730 |
| Indiana | $61,910 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and strong machine skills can help operators earn more, and extra training or credentials may matter. Pay also varies by employer, type of mining work, and location. Hours differ too: many work over 40 hours or have changing schedules.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a mine machine operator do?
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
What's a typical day like?
They inspect their machine and check the digging plan, then use levers and pedals to scoop loose earth or rock and load it where needed. They follow signals and markers while working outdoors around loud, powerful equipment.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a high-school diploma or GED is usual; start as a trainee/helper or in a Dragline Operator apprenticeship, then learn the machine on the job with MSHA safety training. Most mine jobs are for people 18 or older.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
The biggest dragline ever built had a 220-cubic-yard bucket; it could scoop, swing nearly 300 feet, dump, and start again in just 45 seconds.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Construction and Extraction jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes475022.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/47-5022.00
- www.msha.gov/safety-and-training
- www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/43-child-labor-non-agriculture
- courses.ems.psu.edu/mng230/node/845
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY