Dragline operator vs coal equipment operator

The differences between dragline operators and coal equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a dragline operator, becoming a coal equipment operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a coal equipment operator has an average salary of $43,372, which is higher than the $38,382 average annual salary of a dragline operator.

The top three skills for a dragline operator include MSHA, loaders and . The most important skills for a coal equipment operator are loaders, end loaders, and general maintenance.

Dragline operator vs coal equipment operator overview

	Dragline Operator	Coal Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$38,382	$43,372
Hourly rate	$18.45	$20.85
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	30,148	43,969
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	4	2

Dragline operator vs coal equipment operator salary

Dragline operators and coal equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dragline Operator	Coal Equipment Operator
Average salary	$38,382	$43,372
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $56,000	Between $33,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between dragline operator and coal equipment operator education

There are a few differences between a dragline operator and a coal equipment operator in terms of educational background:

	Dragline Operator	Coal Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies	Mining Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Dragline operator vs coal equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between dragline operators' and coal equipment operators' demographics:

	Dragline Operator	Coal Equipment Operator
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 98.4% Female, 1.6%	Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between dragline operator and coal equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Dragline operator example responsibilities.

wheel loaders, dozers and dragling, also complete tasks in welding and working on kenworth dump trucks.
Have ran draglines, trackhoes, backhoes, dozers, versahandlers, crains, and directional bore drilling equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Load and unload merchandise from trucksDaily equipment checksDispose of waste following DHEC regulations

Coal equipment operator example responsibilities.

Operate loaders, bulldozers, and dump truck
Operate loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, road grader.
Drive a truck with a capacity of at least 80,000 GVW, to transport coal and rock in loose form.
Follow all power equipment rules and regulation including any regulatory agency policies to include OSHA.
Operate loader, bulldozer, crane and maintain all coal and limestone conveyor belts
Manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients using GMP format and aseptic techniques.

Dragline operator vs coal equipment operator skills

Common dragline operator skills

MSHA, 55%
Loaders, 45%

Common coal equipment operator skills

Loaders, 47%
End Loaders, 20%
General Maintenance, 18%
Bulldozers, 11%
Fuel Samples, 5%

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Dragline Operator
Dragline Operator vs Coal Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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