Helpers--Extraction Worker Salary
Helpers--Extraction Workers earn a median $47,730 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What helpers--extraction workers do
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).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.7% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 700
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of helpers--extraction workers is projected to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Helpers--Extraction Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,548
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,959
- Medicare (1.45%)$692
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,531
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,960 | $17.77 | $31,877 |
| 25th percentile | $41,430 | $19.92 | $35,469 |
| Median (50th) | $47,730 | $22.95 | $40,531 |
| 75th percentile | $57,920 | $27.85 | $48,719 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,020 | $32.70 | $56,682 |
Helpers--Extraction Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $77,180 | +2.5% | $60,341 | $36,970 – $77,230 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $68,020 | +2.6% | $54,419 | $67,590 – $69,250 | 230 |
| Utah | $55,490 | +2.6% | $45,235 | $45,510 – $55,490 | — |
| Wyoming | $55,240 | −1.3% | $46,565 | $46,620 – $91,020 | 110 |
| New York | $54,910 | +2.9% | $43,932 | $47,220 – $69,090 | 210 |
| New Mexico | $54,840 | +23.7% | $44,832 | $35,090 – $79,620 | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $54,700 | +3.2% | $46,131 | $51,200 – $65,890 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $53,820 | −10.3% | $43,999 | $33,770 – $61,980 | — |
| California | $51,720 | +12.4% | $41,912 | $37,050 – $62,060 | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $51,020 | +2.2% | $41,115 | $47,150 – $56,370 | 80 |
| Virginia | $50,350 | −22.8% | $40,555 | $37,920 – $89,850 | 90 |
| Indiana | $49,490 | −17.5% | $40,515 | $40,270 – $79,360 | 140 |
| Arizona | $49,070 | −7.0% | $40,590 | $42,320 – $57,210 | — |
| Alaska | $48,820 | −0.1% | $41,407 | $37,990 – $65,860 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,290 | −0.2% | $39,499 | $36,570 – $59,380 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $46,940 | +9.6% | $38,874 | $36,870 – $63,240 | 320 |
| Montana | $46,720 | +1.5% | $38,280 | $37,330 – $76,040 | 120 |
| Nevada | $46,610 | −1.4% | $39,631 | $46,480 – $56,700 | 230 |
| Oregon | $46,270 | +1.1% | $36,139 | $42,900 – $64,160 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $45,250 | −5.9% | $38,538 | $36,330 – $53,140 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $42,670 | +5.2% | $35,272 | $33,410 – $59,680 | 150 |
| Florida | $41,090 | +6.4% | $35,196 | $37,570 – $47,780 | 420 |
| Texas | $40,650 | −1.0% | $34,842 | $35,410 – $47,180 | 970 |
| Oklahoma | $38,510 | −33.1% | $31,935 | $24,080 – $45,300 | 140 |
| Colorado | $37,450 | +2.5% | $31,332 | $37,450 – $81,960 | 190 |
| Mississippi | $36,160 | — | $30,520 | $31,030 – $37,220 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $46,960 | No formal educational credential | +3.6% |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $48,740 | No formal educational credential | +5.8% |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.0% |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 | No formal educational credential | +1.1% |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 | No formal educational credential | +1.6% |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $61,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | 0.0% |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $61,810 | No formal educational credential | +3.2% |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | No formal educational credential | +0.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a helpers--extraction worker make?
The national median salary for helpers--extraction workers is $47,730 a year ($22.95 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,960 and the top 10% earn over $68,020. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays helpers--extraction workers the most?
West Virginia has the highest median pay at $77,180.
How many helpers--extraction workers are there in the U.S.?
About 6,700 people work as helpers--extraction workers nationwide.