O*NET-SOC 47-5022.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?

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

Estimated AI task exposure

Low exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

16 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

18/100

Physical moat

88/100

Human moat

17/100

Rating coverage

100%

16 task statements / 16 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.

Importance 89/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 88/100Weight 0.93

Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.

Importance 89/100Relevance 99/100Frequency 69/100Weight 0.88

Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.

Importance 86/100Relevance 88/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.84

Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.

Importance 85/100Relevance 88/100Frequency 74/100Weight 0.83

Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.

Importance 76/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 65/100Weight 0.80

Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.

Importance 80/100Relevance 80/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.78

Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.

Importance 75/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 71/100Weight 0.76

Create or maintain inclines or ramps.

Importance 72/100Relevance 81/100Frequency 55/100Weight 0.71

Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or bucket teeth.

Importance 71/100Relevance 74/100Frequency 52/100Weight 0.67

Handle slides, mud, or pit cleanings or maintenance.

Importance 67/100Relevance 72/100Frequency 53/100Weight 0.65

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$57,430

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

34,480

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+1.0%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

2

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE