How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make in Chicago?
Median yearly pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $41.86 an hour or $7,255 a month.
- Hourly
- $41.86
- Vs. national median
- +52%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 118
- Jobs in the area
- 570
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,560 | $22.38 | |
| 25th | $63,970 | $30.75 | |
| Median | $87,060 | $41.86 | |
| 75th | $93,290 | $44.85 | |
| 90th | $99,360 | $47.77 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators.
| Davenport, IA | $61,990 |
| St. Louis, MO | $60,250 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $57,640 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer | $146,600 |
| Taper | $113,200 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $111,300 |
| Boilermaker | $109,600 |
| Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker | $105,600 |
| Insulation Worker | $103,700 |
| Plumber | $103,400 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $103,100 |
| Electrician | $102,400 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $102,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $41.86 ($87,060 a year).
Do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $87,060 against $57,430 nationally, 52% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $80,600, so Chicago pays 8% more.
Where does Chicago rank for excavating and loading machine and dragline operator pay?
4 of 118 metro areas with data.
How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,560 or less a year; the top 10% make $99,360 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.