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Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in Des Moines, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in Des Moines, IA have a median annual salary of $61,830, with 80 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $51,300 at the 10th percentile to $77,630 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$61,830

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$29.73

Employment

80

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$51,300
10th
$59,390
25th
$61,830
Median
$63,590
75th
$77,630
90th

Local compared with national

Des Moines, IA

$61,830

Median annual · 2025

United States

$57,430

Median annual · 2025

The Des Moines, IA median is 7.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $4,400).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.6
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.0
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  6. 6.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Active LearningImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  10. 10.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  11. 11.PersuasionImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Email software
  • Google Gmail
  • Machine control systems
  • Machine monitoring software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Common tasks

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
  • Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
  • Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
  • Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
  • Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
  • Create or maintain inclines or ramps.
  • Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or bucket teeth.
  • Handle slides, mud, or pit cleanings or maintenance.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in other locations

Other occupations in Des Moines, IA