Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $44,720 a year ($21.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,990 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $57,430. Pay here is 11% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $50,290. There are 1.2 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,270 | $21.28 |
| 25th percentile | $44,270 | $21.28 |
| Median | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| 75th percentile | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Average (mean) | $48,540 | $23.34 |
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 | $3,726.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,863.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,720 |
| Weekly | $860 |
| Hourly | $21.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $56,460 | 630 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $49,520 | 30 |
| Savannah, GA | $49,400 | 30 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $48,380 | 80 |
| Birmingham, AL | $47,970 | 90 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $35,890 | $17.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $65,200 | $31.34 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Electrician | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Carpenter | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $32,990 | $15.86 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $60,520 | $29.10 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Roofer | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $42,020 | $20.20 |
| Glazier | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $44,700 | $21.49 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $44,720 a year, or $21.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $61,990 a year. The top 25% earn $50,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,270 a year, and a quarter of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn $44,270 or less.
How many excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 130 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.