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.
Helpers--Extraction Workers
SOC: 47-5081 O*NET: 47-5081.00
Median Salary
$47,730
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Helpers--Extraction Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,960
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,430
25th percentile
Median
$47,730
50th percentile
Experienced
$57,920
75th percentile
Top Earners
$68,020
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,960
25th
$41,430
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,730
Mean: $50,620
75th
$57,920
90th
$68,020
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $31,060 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,430 and $57,920
- •Salary spread is 34.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 6,700 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:7,100
Top Industries
Construction46.3%
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction45.7%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction36.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.7%
Annual Openings:700
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)7,100
Current
2035 (Projected)7,200
+1.7%
+100
Employment Change
+1.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Helpers--Extraction Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 26 locations
California
1,170 jobs$51,7201.50x
Texas
970 jobs$40,6501.60x
Florida
420 jobs$41,0900.97x
Pennsylvania
370 jobs$48,2901.43x
West Virginia
360 jobs$77,18011.89x
Louisiana
320 jobs$46,9403.83x
Kentucky
230 jobs$68,0202.68x
Nevada
230 jobs$46,6103.48x
New York
210 jobs$54,9100.51x
Colorado
190 jobs$37,4501.51x
North Carolina
150 jobs$42,6700.68x
Indiana
140 jobs$49,4901.04x
Oklahoma
140 jobs$38,5101.92x
New Mexico
130 jobs$54,8403.54x
Montana
120 jobs$46,7205.56x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Mechanical
100%
#3
Manual Dexterity
100%
#4
Operations Monitoring
94%
#5
Arm-Hand Steadiness
92%
#6
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#7
Control Precision
82%
#8
English Language
80%
#9
Operation and Control
80%
#10
Troubleshooting
74%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Mechanical
advanced5.0
100%
Manual Dexterity
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advanced4.6
92%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Control Precision
intermediate4.1
82%
English Language
intermediate4.0
80%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Mechanical
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Manual Dexterity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Control Precision
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Reaction Time
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners90%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers82%
5 shared skills
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators82%
5 shared skills
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators70%
5 shared skills
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Coordination
- →Transportation
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓English Language
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Mechanical
- ★English Language
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Manual Dexterity
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Helpers--Extraction Workers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (11)
1
Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean up work areas and remove debris after extraction activities are complete.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Organize materials to prepare for use.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Provide assistance to extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers and derrick operators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Dismantle extracting and boring equipment used for excavation, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Load materials into well holes or into equipment, using hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Signal workers to start geological material extraction or boring.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Helpers--Extraction Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Helpers--Extraction Workers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Helpers--Extraction Workers
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.17
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.00
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.88
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.86
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.71
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.65
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.2
Initiative
4.0
Attention to Detail
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Persistence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Helpers--Extraction Workers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Helpers--Extraction Workers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.9k program completions/year
Apex Technical School
Long Island City, NY
847 program completions/year
American River College
Sacramento, CA
792 program completions/year
J F Ingram State Technical College
Deatsville, AL
697 program completions/year
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
635 program completions/year
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
633 program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
629 program completions/year
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
626 program completions/year
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL
622 program completions/year
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
596 program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
565 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
526 program completions/year
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