How much does a loading and moving machine operator make?
The median loading and moving machine operator in the United States earns $68,860 per year, about $33.11 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all loading and moving machine operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-5044.
Loading and moving machine operator salary range
Pay for loading and moving machine operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,310 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $82,900. The average (mean) wage is $68,470, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,310 | $23.23 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,130 | $28.43 | |
| Median (50th) | $68,860 | $33.11 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,820 | $36.93 | |
| 90th percentile | $82,900 | $39.86 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining (SOC 47-5044), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Loading and moving machine operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Loading and moving machine operators earn the most in Wyoming at $104,010 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $38,460. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $104,010 | 50 |
| Alaska | $89,830 | 210 |
| Nevada | $80,840 | 810 |
| Virginia | $77,440 | 170 |
| Illinois | $75,820 | 210 |
| Colorado | $74,420 | 110 |
| West Virginia | $73,260 | 1,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,780 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $67,510 | 280 |
| Ohio | $65,920 | 270 |
| Alabama | $58,730 | N/A |
| New York | $56,960 | 130 |
| Indiana | $52,150 | 230 |
| Georgia | $51,690 | 150 |
| Missouri | $50,860 | 130 |
| Florida | $47,030 | 60 |
| Iowa | $45,420 | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $43,490 | 80 |
| Louisiana | $38,460 | 50 |
State median wages for loading and moving machine operators, underground mining (SOC 47-5044), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for loading and moving machine operators
The BLS projects employment of loading and moving machine operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 15.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for loading and moving machine operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a loading and moving machine operator
The typical entry-level education for loading and moving machine operators is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a loading and moving machine operator earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $104,010) and the lowest (Louisiana, $38,460) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 6,130 people work as loading and moving machine operators in the United States. At $68,860 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Loading and moving machine operator salary FAQ
How much does a loading and moving machine operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a loading and moving machine operator is $33.11. The middle half of loading and moving machine operators earn between $28.43 and $36.93 per hour.
What is the highest loading and moving machine operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of loading and moving machine operators earn more than $82,900 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a loading and moving machine operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a loading and moving machine operator is $68,860. The average (mean) wage is $68,470, close to the median.
Is being a loading and moving machine operator a well paid job?
At $68,860 a year, a loading and moving machine operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 6,130 people work as loading and moving machine operators in the United States.
Which state pays loading and moving machine operators the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for loading and moving machine operators at $104,010 a year. Alaska ($89,830) and Nevada ($80,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a loading and moving machine operator a good career?
Employment of loading and moving machine operators is projected to shrink 15.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a loading and moving machine operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for loading and moving machine operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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