As of June 2026, Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining has an AI-exposure score of 41/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

41/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 12% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$57,430. About 3,100 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How this role compares to similar Construction roles

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining (this role)
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Data sources, not endorsements: O*NET task data, BLS employment/pay/demand, and Anthropic Economic Index signals.Methodology Data sources
Role snapshot

What this role usually involves

O*NET 29.1 exact occupation

Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Common titles
Dragline OilerDragline OperatorHeavy Equipment OperatorLoader OperatorBackhoe OperatorEquipment Operator
O*NET job-zone preparation
Job Zone 2 · Some Preparation Needed These occupations usually require a high school diploma. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Broad guidance for this preparation level; exact requirements vary by role and employer.

Skills and knowledge
Operation and ControlMonitoringActive LearningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSocial Perceptiveness
Tools and technology
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Word
Work context
Face-to-face discussionsFrequent contact with othersDecision latitudeConsequence of errorRepeating tasks

Source: O*NET 29.1 exact occupation - Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining, SOC 47-5022.00. Context describes the role; the AI-exposure score remains a separate task-exposure estimate.

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Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (69%).

Augmentable
  • Direct workers engaged in placing blocks or outriggers to prevent capsizing of machines when lifting heavy loads.
  • Measure and verify levels of rock or gravel, bases, or other excavated material.
9 more augmentable tasks locked in the report.
Durable
  • Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
3 more durable tasks locked in the report.

We analyzed all 16 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining tasks — 11 augmentable and 5 durable. The full task map — every task with exactly what to do about each — is in your Career Report.

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Full task map

Every task scored with what to automate, augment, or protect.

Safer role shortlist

5-10 adjacent roles with salary, demand, and reachability.

30/60/90 plan + PDF

A keepable roadmap plus resume and LinkedIn repositioning.

Grounded in O*NET + the Anthropic Economic Index + BLS — not generic ChatGPT advice.

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Safer adjacent roles

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$59,850
41
7 more safer roles with salary, demand & a reachability map — in your Career Report.
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Your AI-Safe Career Report

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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