Construction and extraction
Extraction worker helper
Help extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying equipment or cleaning work area.
Median pay
$47,730
Growth to 2035
+2%
little or no change
Openings a year
700
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Extraction worker helper
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Extraction worker helper: 95% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.
- Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.
- Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.
- Set up and adjust equipment used to excavate geological materials.
- Organize materials to prepare for use.
- Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.
- Clean up work areas and remove debris after extraction activities are complete.
- Clean and prepare sites for excavation or boring.
Also called: Continuous Miner Operator Helper · Driller Helper · Driller's Assistant · Longwall Machine Operator Helper · Miner Helper · Powderman · Salt Miner
Outlook and AI
Helpers--extraction workers held 7,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 7,200 by 2035 (+2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Extraction worker helper vs. Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers
- Extraction worker helper vs. Production worker helper
- Extraction worker helper vs. Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
- Extraction worker helper vs. Earth drillers, except oil and gas
- Extraction worker helper vs. Carpenter helper
- Extraction worker helper vs. Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Extraction worker helper vs. Continuous mining machine operator
- Extraction worker helper vs. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining
- Extraction worker helper vs. Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
- Extraction worker helper vs. Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters