Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings earn $95,260 at the median — $45.8 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $140K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $86,271 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 58.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $95K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K.Top earners bring in $140K or more - a $78K spread from bottom to top.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $105K | +101% | 840 |
| Minnesota | $79K | +50% | 740 |
| Alaska | $79K | +50% | 140 |
| North Dakota | $77K | +46% | 200 |
| Wyoming | $76K | +45% | 390 |
| Massachusetts | $74K | +41% | 190 |
| California | $74K | +40% | 900 |
| Indiana | $68K | +30% | 950 |
| Maryland | $65K | +24% | 730 |
| Montana | $65K | +23% | 170 |
| West Virginia | $63K | +20% | 780 |
| Washington | $63K | +19% | 760 |
| District of Columbia | $62K | +19% | 40 |
| Illinois | $62K | +19% | 1,020 |
| New Hampshire | $61K | +16% | 250 |
Track excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $95,260 a year - that works out to about $45.8 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,500, and experienced excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings can clear $139,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,867/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 59.4% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary is worth about $86,271 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.