Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in West Virginia
In West Virginia, excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings earn $62,930 at the median — $30.26 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $76K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $63K get you in West Virginia?
About excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K.Top earners bring in $76K or more - a $30K 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
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings make in West Virginia?
The median is $62,930 a year - that works out to about $30.26 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,460, and experienced excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings can clear $76,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,189/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $991/month (median of metro areas), which eats 23.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary go in West Virginia?
West Virginia 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 $62,930 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.