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.
Also called: Continuous Miner Operator Helper · Driller Helper · Driller's Assistant · Longwall Machine Operator Helper · Miner Helper · Powderman
Median pay (national)
$48,400
$35,770–$68,240 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
6,720
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-1.7%
~700 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for helpers--extraction workers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $68,240 versus $35,770 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $48,400 leaves roughly 41% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -1.7% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 29 states with released data, West Virginia pays the most for this role (median $75,270, +56% vs the national median), while Colorado sits lowest at $36,550 — a 106% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Helpers--Extraction Workers
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Helpers--Extraction Workers
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Writing
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Load materials into well holes or into equipment, using hand tools.
- Clean and prepare sites for excavation or boring.
- Collect and examine geological matter, using hand tools and testing devices.
Tools & technology
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Transportation
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Production and Processing