Prevailing Wage for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Prevailing wage for Backhoe Operator roles in the United States is set by the DOL under SOC 47-5022, covering positions such as Excavator Operator, Dragline Operator, and Equipment Operator. DOL establishes four experience-based levels, and the wage floor shifts considerably depending on where the worksite is located.
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Entry-level Backhoe Operators with limited hands-on experience, typically performing routine excavation tasks under direct supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures and have not yet developed independent judgment for varied surface mining conditions.
Qualified Excavator Operators with moderate field experience who can handle standard assignments with general supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation, reflecting workers who operate independently on routine surface mining projects.
Experienced Heavy Equipment Operators who handle complex or varied excavation assignments with minimal supervision. These workers apply technical judgment across different equipment types and surface conditions, often serving as informal leads on specific project segments.
Fully competent Dragline Operators or senior Equipment Operators with broad expertise across equipment types and site conditions. These professionals may train junior operators, oversee safety compliance, and are trusted to work entirely independently on the most demanding surface operations.
Prevailing Wage for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Backhoe Operator and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your worksite state before accepting an offer
Surface mining activity concentrates in specific states, and the gap between low-paying metros like Shreveport and high-paying metros like Sacramento is substantial for this occupation. The LCA must reflect the actual worksite location, not the employer's headquarters.
Watch for signing bonuses excluded from the wage floor
Some surface mining contractors structure compensation with one-time relocation or mobilization bonuses that do not count toward prevailing wage compliance. Only recurring cash wages satisfy the DOL floor for sponsored Backhoe Operator positions.
Expect most H-1B filings to land at Level 2
DOL disclosure data consistently shows Excavator Operator and related titles filed predominantly at Level 2. If your offer letter reflects entry-level framing but you have several years of field experience, you may be under-leveled relative to the filing.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with proven sponsorship history
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored workers in heavy equipment and surface mining roles, letting you focus applications on companies that have already navigated the LCA and H-1B process for this occupation.
Jobs for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Backhoe OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-5022.00 alongside Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Backhoe Operator Prevailing Wage
Backhoe Operator Prevailing Wage
Backhoe Operator positions fall under SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Dragline Oiler Prevailing Wage
Dragline Oiler Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dragline Oiler for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Dragline Operator Prevailing Wage
Dragline Operator Prevailing Wage
Dragline Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Equipment Operator positions fall under SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Excavator Operator Prevailing Wage
Excavator Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Excavator Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Heavy Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Heavy Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Heavy Equipment Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator Prevailing Wage
Loader Operator positions fall under SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Pit Operator Prevailing Wage
Pit Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Pit Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Track Hoe Operator Prevailing Wage
Track Hoe Operator Prevailing Wage
Track Hoe Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-5022.00 (Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DOL determine the prevailing wage for a Backhoe Operator role?
DOL bases prevailing wage determinations on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 47-5022, DOL maps each job offer to one of four experience levels and identifies the corresponding wage for the employer's worksite metro area. Employers file a Labor Condition Application through OFLC certifying they will pay at least that amount.
What do the four wage levels mean, and how do I know which applies to my offer?
The four levels reflect increasing experience and independence: Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified with general supervision, Level 3 is experienced with minimal oversight, and Level 4 is fully competent and independent. Your level should match the job duties and supervision described in your offer. If the job posting lists several years of independent equipment operation, Level 3 or 4 is likely correct.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Backhoe Operator title vary so much between cities?
DOL calculates wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metro area reflects local labor market conditions. A Dense construction market in California produces a much higher floor than a rural Louisiana mining region. The LCA must list the actual worksite, not the employer's main office, so if you are dispatched to a high-cost metro, that metro's prevailing wage applies even if the employer is headquartered elsewhere.
What happens if a sponsored Backhoe Operator offer falls below the prevailing wage floor?
An employer cannot certify a compliant LCA if the offered wage is below the applicable prevailing wage. USCIS will deny an H-1B or green card petition supported by a non-compliant LCA. If underpayment is discovered after approval, OFLC can require back pay, debar the employer from future sponsorships, and refer the case to the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division for enforcement.
How can I look up the prevailing wage for a Dragline Operator or Equipment Operator position in a specific U.S. city?
You can search by SOC code 47-5022 and metro area using the OFLC Wage Search tool, which displays all four levels for every surveyed area. Cross-reference with the O*NET profile for this occupation to confirm the job duties match the SOC. Migrate Mate lists open positions from employers with documented sponsorship history, so you can compare posted salaries against the floor for your target location before applying.
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