Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
Operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to excavate and load loose materials.
AI Impact Summary
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 23/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 13% of all analyzed occupations. Of 16 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Limited protective factors mean this occupation has few buffers against AI automation.
This is a general assessment. to get a score adjusted for your experience, skills, and work environment.
How AI Impacts Each Task
16 tasks analyzed
Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and with efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 25% | |
| Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and with efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications. | 25Estimated | 19.0% | 10% | |
| Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 15% |
Skill Impact Analysis
6
AI-Vulnerable
11
AI-Resistant
AI-Vulnerable
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
PAIDSee how Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators's risk score has changed over 2 scoring runs.
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Education & Training
PAIDEducation levels, experience requirements, and training data for this occupation.
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Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis