Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in Iowa
In Iowa, excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings earn $52,170 at the median, or about $25.08 an hour. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $52K get you in Iowa?
About excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $63K or more, a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary by metro in Iowa
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $60K | +15% | 100 |
| Cedar Rapids | $59K | +13% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
How much do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings make in Iowa?
The median is $52,170 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,750, and experienced excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings can clear $62,700. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,451/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 30.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary is worth about $58,710 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.