Jobs Similar to Loading and Moving Machine Operators
Also called: Loading Machine Operators, Mining
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to loading and moving machine operators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Continuous Mining Machine Operators, Roof Bolters and Earth Drillers.
Loading and Moving Machine Operators: $74,500 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Loading and Moving Machine Operators) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continuous Mining Machine OperatorsSame group | 82% | $61,810−17% | High school |
| 2 | Roof Bolters, MiningSame group | 82% | $78,540+5% | High school |
| 3 | Earth Drillers, Except Oil and GasSame group | 80% | $60,190−19% | High school |
| 4 | Dredge Operators | 80% | $49,640−33% | High school |
| 5 | Derrick Operators, Oil and GasSame group | 79% | $58,620−21% | High school |
| 6 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface MiningSame group | 79% | $57,430−23% | High school |
| 7 | Helpers--Extraction WorkersSame group | 79% | $47,730−36% | High school |
| 8 | Logging Equipment Operators | 79% | $49,740−33% | High school |
| 9 | Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons | 79% | $61,290−18% | High school |
| 10 | Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasSame group | 78% | $67,890−9% | High school |
| 11 | Rock Splitters, QuarrySame group | 78% | $48,740−35% | High school |
| 12 | Pile Driver Operators | 77% | $73,300−2% | High school |
| 13 | Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | 77% | $42,770−43% | High school |
| 14 | Crane and Tower Operators | 77% | $68,080−9% | Training or associate |
| 15 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | 77% | $59,850−20% | High school |
| 16 | Fallers | 77% | $52,100−30% | High school |
| 17 | Sailors and Marine Oilers | 76% | $51,520−31% | High school |
| 18 | Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 76% | $46,350−38% | High school |
| 19 | Agricultural Equipment Operators | 76% | $41,730−44% | High school |
| 20 | Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | 76% | $70,070−6% | High school |
- 1Continuous Mining Machine Operators
82% similar · $61,810 (−17%) · High school · Same group
- 2Roof Bolters, Mining
82% similar · $78,540 (+5%) · High school · Same group
- 3Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
80% similar · $60,190 (−19%) · High school · Same group
- 4Dredge Operators
80% similar · $49,640 (−33%) · High school
- 5Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
79% similar · $58,620 (−21%) · High school · Same group
- 6Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
79% similar · $57,430 (−23%) · High school · Same group
- 7Helpers--Extraction Workers
79% similar · $47,730 (−36%) · High school · Same group
- 8Logging Equipment Operators
79% similar · $49,740 (−33%) · High school
- 9Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
79% similar · $61,290 (−18%) · High school
- 10Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
78% similar · $67,890 (−9%) · High school · Same group
- 11Rock Splitters, Quarry
78% similar · $48,740 (−35%) · High school · Same group
- 12Pile Driver Operators
77% similar · $73,300 (−2%) · High school
- 13Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
77% similar · $42,770 (−43%) · High school
- 14Crane and Tower Operators
77% similar · $68,080 (−9%) · Training or associate
- 15Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
77% similar · $59,850 (−20%) · High school
- 16Fallers
77% similar · $52,100 (−30%) · High school
- 17Sailors and Marine Oilers
76% similar · $51,520 (−31%) · High school
- 18Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
76% similar · $46,350 (−38%) · High school
- 19Agricultural Equipment Operators
76% similar · $41,730 (−44%) · High school
- 20Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
76% similar · $70,070 (−6%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than loading and moving machine operators.
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for loading and moving machine operators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where loading and moving machine operators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Logging Equipment Operators (89)
- Pile Driver Operators (84)
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (83)
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (83)
- Crane and Tower Operators (81)
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (81)
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders (81)
- Dredge Operators (80)
- Hoist and Winch Operators (80)
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers (80)
Questions about jobs like loading and moving machine operators
What jobs are most similar to loading and moving machine operators?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Continuous Mining Machine Operators (82% similar), Roof Bolters (82% similar), Earth Drillers (80% similar), Dredge Operators (80% similar) and Derrick Operators (79% similar).
Which jobs like loading and moving machine operators pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Roof Bolters ($78,540, +5%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with loading and moving machine operators ($74,500). Without more preparation than loading and moving machine operators usually need: Roof Bolters.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.