Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $61,830 a year ($29.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,630 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $57,430. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $59,390. There are 0.20 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,300 | $24.66 |
| 25th percentile | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| Median | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| 75th percentile | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| Average (mean) | $62,330 | $29.97 |
Half of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,378.08 |
| Weekly | $1,189.04 |
| Hourly | $29.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,990 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $60,630 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $59,980 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $90,380 |
| Illinois | $80,600 |
| New Jersey | $80,310 |
| Wyoming | $78,230 |
| New Mexico | $76,350 |
| Massachusetts | $76,070 |
| Alaska | $74,680 |
| California | $74,500 |
| Montana | $65,850 |
| Connecticut | $65,710 |
See Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $55,920 | $26.88 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Electrician | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $73,910 | $35.53 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Roofer | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $70,410 | $33.85 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $61,830 a year, or $29.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $77,630 a year. The top 25% earn $63,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,300 a year, and a quarter of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn $59,390 or less.
How many excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 80 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.