Helpers--Extraction Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Helpers--Extraction Workers fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Helpers--Extraction Workers earn a median salary of $48,400 per year, ranking in the top 68% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.7% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do helpers--extraction workers earn?

The median annual wage for helpers--extraction workers is $48,400. That puts helpers--extraction workers at #547 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is helpers--extraction workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for helpers--extraction workers is -1.7%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 7K positions in 2024 to 6K in 2034, a net change of -1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do helpers--extraction workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working helpers--extraction workers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.
2. 2.Set up and adjust equipment used to excavate geological materials.
3. 3.Clean and prepare sites for excavation or boring.
4. 4.Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.
5. 5.Organize materials to prepare for use.
6. 6.Clean up work areas and remove debris after extraction activities are complete.
7. 7.Load materials into well holes or into equipment, using hand tools.
8. 8.Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.

Top skills for helpers--extraction workers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become helpers--extraction worker?

Helpers--Extraction Workers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about helpers--extraction workers