# Helpers--Extraction Workers

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-extraction-workers
- SOC code: 47-5081.00
- Career family: Construction and extraction
- Median annual pay: $47,730 (10th percentile $36,960, 90th percentile $68,020)
- Projected growth: Slower than average, +1.7%
- Openings a year: 700
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 19 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 13 |
| Enterprising (E) | 10 |
| Conventional (C) | 45 |

## What you'd do

- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 94/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 94/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 93/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 89/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 87/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 85/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 84/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 84/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 81/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 80/100)

## Skills

Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Operation and Control, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Equipment Selection, Quality Control Analysis

## Knowledge

Mechanical, English Language, Transportation, Mathematics, Administration and Management, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Production and Processing, Customer and Personal Service, Engineering and Technology

## Also called

Blaster Helper, Blasting Helper, Boring Machine Operator Helper, Bottom Hole Pressure Recording Operator Helper, Churn Driller Helper, Clean Out Driller Helper, Clean-Out Driller Helper, Coal Loader, Continuous Miner Operator Helper, Core Drill Operator Helper

## Related careers

- [Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-installation-maintenance-and-repair-workers): $39,630 median pay
- [Helpers--Production Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-production-workers): $39,070 median pay
- [Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/rotary-drill-operators-oil-and-gas): $67,890 median pay
- [Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/earth-drillers-except-oil-and-gas): $60,190 median pay
- [Helpers--Carpenters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-carpenters): $43,780 median pay
- [Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-pipelayers-plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters): $42,360 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.