Helpers--Extraction Workers Career, Salary and Skills
Helpers--Extraction Workers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $47,730 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 6,700. Wage data is published for 39 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
47-5081.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$47,730
Hourly median
$22.95
Employment
6,700
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.75 | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.62 | 3.38 |
| Operation and Control | 3.50 | 3.00 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.50 | 3.12 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Repairing | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Coordination | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.12 | 2.62 |
Typical 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.
Technology
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Helpers--Extraction Workers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in CAMedian $51,720 · Employment 1,170
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in TXMedian $40,650 · Employment 970
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in FLMedian $41,090 · Employment 420
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in PAMedian $48,290 · Employment 370
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in WVMedian $77,180 · Employment 360
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in LAMedian $46,940 · Employment 320
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in NVMedian $46,610 · Employment 230
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in KYMedian $68,020 · Employment 230
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in NYMedian $54,910 · Employment 210
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in Riverside, CAMedian $51,750 · Employment 190
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in COMedian $37,450 · Employment 190
- Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary in Bakersfield, CAMedian $51,060 · Employment 170
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.