Checked
Helpers--Extraction Workers Salary
Helpers--Extraction Workers earn a median $47,730 a year in the U.S., with 6,700 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $47,730 a year
- Employment
- 6,700
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- +1.7%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 700
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $47,730 · $22.95 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $50,620 · $24.34 an hour (estimate error ±1.2%)
- 10th percentile
- $36,960 · $17.77 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $41,430 · $19.92 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $57,920 · $27.84 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $68,020 · $32.70 an hour
- Employment
- 6,700 (estimate error ±8.6%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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. Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 7,100
- Projected for 2035
- 7,200
- Change
- +100 (+1.7%)
- Openings each year
- 700
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- 5.5%
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $77,180 | 360 |
| 2 | Kentucky | $68,020 | 230 |
| 3 | Utah | $55,490 | Not reported |
| 4 | Wyoming | $55,240 | 110 |
| 5 | New York | $54,910 | 210 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $54,840 | 130 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $54,700 | 30 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $53,820 | Not reported |
| 9 | California | $51,720 | 1,170 |
| 10 | Maryland | $51,020 | 80 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | 1,170 | $51,720 |
| Texas | 970 | $40,650 |
| Florida | 420 | $41,090 |
| Pennsylvania | 370 | $48,290 |
| West Virginia | 360 | $77,180 |
| Louisiana | 320 | $46,940 |
| Kentucky | 230 | $68,020 |
| Nevada | 230 | $46,610 |
| New York | 210 | $54,910 |
| Colorado | 190 | $37,450 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,470 | 170 |
| 2 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $51,750 | 190 |
| 3 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $51,060 | 170 |
| 4 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $47,730 | 100 |
| 5 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $43,940 | 110 |
| 6 | Midland, TX | $42,810 | 150 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 190 | $51,750 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 170 | $51,060 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 170 | $60,470 |
| Midland, TX | 150 | $42,810 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 110 | $43,940 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 100 | $47,730 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 90 | $46,890 |
| Odessa, TX | 70 | $39,480 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 60 | $44,300 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 60 | $40,170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 50 | $48,690 |
| Longview, TX | 40 | $37,290 |
Helpers--Extraction Workers pay by state
Related occupations
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
- Roof Bolters, Mining
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
- Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other
- Rock Splitters, Quarry
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Frequently asked questions
- How much do helpers--extraction workers make?
- The median wage for helpers--extraction workers in the U.S. is $47,730 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $41,430 and $57,920.
- Which state pays helpers--extraction workers the most?
- West Virginia has the highest median wage for this occupation at $77,180 a year.
- What is the job outlook for helpers--extraction workers?
- BLS projects employment to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 700 openings each year on average.
- What education do helpers--extraction workers need?
- The typical entry-level education is: high school diploma or equivalent.