Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area earn a median of $48,190 a year ($23.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,010 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $57,430. Pay here is 21% lower than the West Virginia statewide median of $61,330. There are 0.36 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 25th percentile | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| Median | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| 75th percentile | $56,980 | $27.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,010 | $42.31 |
| Average (mean) | $51,210 | $24.62 |
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 | $4,015.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,007.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,853.46 |
| Weekly | $926.73 |
| Hourly | $23.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $65,900 | 110 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $61,770 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,140 | 240 |
| Toledo, OH | $61,070 | 100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,040 | 540 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $60,950 | 60 |
| Beckley, WV | $60,610 | 90 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $59,560 | 210 |
| Columbus, OH | $57,870 | 130 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $57,640 | 70 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $53,700 | 50 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,170 | $21.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $73,820 | $35.49 |
| Electrician | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| Carpenter | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $62,160 | $29.88 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| Roofer | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Helpers--Carpenters | $33,590 | $16.15 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
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 Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
The median salary for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area is $48,190 a year, or $23.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining make in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
The top 10% of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area earn at least $88,010 a year. The top 25% earn $56,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,560 a year, and a quarter of excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining earn $40,600 or less.
How many excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining work in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
About 50 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining are employed in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.