Helpers--Extraction Workers
Helpers--Extraction Workers (SOC 47-5081) earn a median $47,730 a year ($22.95 an hour) in the United States, with 6,700 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is West Virginia.
What helpers--extraction workers do
Extraction helpers support skilled extraction workers, including earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators and mining machine operators, by taking on lower-skill duties. The SOC definition names supplying equipment and cleaning the work area as typical duties. Helpers unload materials, devices and machine parts using hand tools, organize materials to prepare them for use, and set up and adjust the equipment used to excavate geological materials. They may drive moving equipment to carry materials and parts to excavation sites, observe and monitor equipment during the extraction process to detect problems, and repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment with hand tools. After extraction activities they clean up work areas and remove debris, and they clean and prepare sites for excavation or boring. Titles include blaster helper, churn driller helper, continuous miner operator helper and coal loader. Apprentices are classified with the skilled trade they are learning, not here.
Typical entry: Most workers in this occupation report a high school diploma or equivalent as their level of education, according to O*NET.
Also called: Blaster Helper, Blasting Helper, Boring Machine Operator Helper, Bottom Hole Pressure Recording Operator Helper, Churn Driller Helper.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $17.77 | $19.92 | $22.95 | $27.84 | $32.70 | $24.34 | 6,700 |
| Annual | $36,960 | $41,430 | $47,730 | $57,920 | $68,020 | $50,620 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where helpers--extraction workers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| West Virginia | Hourly | $17.78 | $20.74 | $37.11 | $37.13 | $37.13 | $31.62 | 360 | 0.51 | 11.89 |
| Annual | $36,970 | $43,140 | $77,180 | $77,230 | $77,230 | $65,770 | ||||
| Kentucky | Hourly | $32.49 | $32.69 | $32.70 | $32.70 | $33.29 | $32.16 | 230 | 0.12 | 2.68 |
| Annual | $67,590 | $68,000 | $68,020 | $68,020 | $69,250 | $66,890 | ||||
| Utah | Hourly | $21.88 | $21.93 | $26.68 | $26.68 | $26.68 | $25.38 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $45,510 | $45,600 | $55,490 | $55,490 | $55,490 | $52,790 | ||||
| Wyoming | Hourly | $22.41 | $24.11 | $26.56 | $33.07 | $43.76 | $30.23 | 110 | 0.39 | 8.99 |
| Annual | $46,620 | $50,150 | $55,240 | $68,780 | $91,020 | $62,870 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $22.70 | $23.31 | $26.40 | $29.07 | $33.21 | $26.87 | 210 | 0.02 | 0.51 |
| Annual | $47,220 | $48,480 | $54,910 | $60,470 | $69,090 | $55,890 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $17.81 | $22.30 | $24.87 | $28.04 | $29.84 | $24.70 | 1,170 | 0.06 | 1.50 |
| Annual | $37,050 | $46,370 | $51,720 | $58,320 | $62,060 | $51,370 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $17.03 | $18.33 | $19.54 | $21.30 | $22.68 | $20.06 | 970 | 0.07 | 1.60 |
| Annual | $35,410 | $38,130 | $40,650 | $44,300 | $47,180 | $41,720 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $18.06 | $18.75 | $19.75 | $22.56 | $22.97 | $20.68 | 420 | 0.04 | 0.97 |
| Annual | $37,570 | $39,000 | $41,090 | $46,920 | $47,780 | $43,010 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $17.58 | $21.15 | $23.22 | $23.97 | $28.55 | $23.20 | 370 | 0.06 | 1.43 |
| Annual | $36,570 | $43,990 | $48,290 | $49,860 | $59,380 | $48,260 | ||||
| West Virginia | Hourly | $17.78 | $20.74 | $37.11 | $37.13 | $37.13 | $31.62 | 360 | 0.51 | 11.89 |
| Annual | $36,970 | $43,140 | $77,180 | $77,230 | $77,230 | $65,770 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $23.31 | $26.40 | $29.07 | $29.80 | $33.60 | $27.94 | 170 | 0.02 | 0.43 |
| Annual | $48,480 | $54,910 | $60,470 | $61,980 | $69,880 | $58,120 | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Hourly | $17.81 | $21.78 | $24.88 | $26.99 | $27.84 | $23.65 | 190 | 0.11 | 2.59 |
| Annual | $37,050 | $45,300 | $51,750 | $56,130 | $57,920 | $49,200 | ||||
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | Hourly | $19.89 | $22.29 | $24.55 | $29.43 | $29.67 | $24.91 | 170 | 0.51 | 11.77 |
| Annual | $41,370 | $46,360 | $51,060 | $61,220 | $61,710 | $51,810 | ||||
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Hourly | $17.55 | $17.55 | $23.41 | $27.89 | $29.76 | $23.58 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $36,500 | $36,500 | $48,690 | $58,010 | $61,890 | $49,040 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $17.40 | $21.58 | $22.95 | $27.42 | $29.45 | $23.83 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.78 |
| Annual | $36,180 | $44,890 | $47,730 | $57,030 | $61,260 | $49,560 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Hourly | $17.81 | $21.78 | $24.88 | $26.99 | $27.84 | $23.65 | 190 | 0.11 | 2.59 |
| Annual | $37,050 | $45,300 | $51,750 | $56,130 | $57,920 | $49,200 | ||||
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | Hourly | $19.89 | $22.29 | $24.55 | $29.43 | $29.67 | $24.91 | 170 | 0.51 | 11.77 |
| Annual | $41,370 | $46,360 | $51,060 | $61,220 | $61,710 | $51,810 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $23.31 | $26.40 | $29.07 | $29.80 | $33.60 | $27.94 | 170 | 0.02 | 0.43 |
| Annual | $48,480 | $54,910 | $60,470 | $61,980 | $69,880 | $58,120 | ||||
| Midland, TX | Hourly | $18.32 | $19.28 | $20.58 | $22.73 | $22.73 | $21.16 | 150 | 1.24 | 28.69 |
| Annual | $38,110 | $40,100 | $42,810 | $47,270 | $47,270 | $44,010 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $18.26 | $20.02 | $21.13 | $22.68 | $22.68 | $21.13 | 110 | 0.03 | 0.61 |
| Annual | $37,990 | $41,650 | $43,940 | $47,180 | $47,180 | $43,960 | ||||
Top industries employing helpers--extraction workers
Utility System Construction employ 35.7% of helpers--extraction workers nationally (2,390 jobs) at a median $47,440 a year ($22.81 an hour), followed by Support Activities for Mining (31.0%) and Coal Mining (11.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utility System Construction NAICS 237100 | 2,390 | 35.7% | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Support Activities for Mining NAICS 213100 | 2,080 | 31.0% | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| Coal Mining NAICS 212100 | 800 | 11.9% | $70,100 | $33.70 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services NAICS 541300 | 290 | 4.3% | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying NAICS 212300 | 130 | 1.9% | $44,630 | $21.46 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (6,700). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $37,760 for helpers--extraction workers in May 2021 and $47,730 in May 2025, with employment of 5,980 and 6,700.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $37,760 | $18.15 | 5,980 |
| May 2022 | $43,110 | $20.73 | 6,910 |
| May 2023 | $45,520 | $21.88 | 7,360 |
| May 2024 | $48,400 | $23.27 | 6,720 |
| May 2025 | $47,730 | $22.95 | 6,700 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
26 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia profile | $37.11 | $77,180 | $36,970 | $77,230 | 360 | 0.51 | 11.89 |
| 2 | Kentucky profile | $32.70 | $68,020 | $67,590 | $69,250 | 230 | 0.12 | 2.68 |
| 3 | Utah profile | $26.68 | $55,490 | $45,510 | $55,490 | ** | ** | ** |
| 4 | Wyoming profile | $26.56 | $55,240 | $46,620 | $91,020 | 110 | 0.39 | 8.99 |
| 5 | New York profile | $26.40 | $54,910 | $47,220 | $69,090 | 210 | 0.02 | 0.51 |
| 6 | New Mexico profile | $26.37 | $54,840 | $35,090 | $79,620 | 130 | 0.15 | 3.54 |
| 7 | New Hampshire profile | $26.30 | $54,700 | $51,200 | $65,890 | 30 | 0.05 | 1.13 |
| 8 | New Jersey profile | $25.87 | $53,820 | $33,770 | $61,980 | ** | ** | ** |
| 9 | California profile | $24.87 | $51,720 | $37,050 | $62,060 | 1,170 | 0.06 | 1.50 |
| 10 | Maryland profile | $24.53 | $51,020 | $47,150 | $56,370 | 80 | 0.03 | 0.65 |
| 11 | Virginia profile | $24.21 | $50,350 | $37,920 | $89,850 | 90 | 0.02 | 0.49 |
| 12 | Indiana profile | $23.79 | $49,490 | $40,270 | $79,360 | 140 | 0.05 | 1.04 |
| 13 | Arizona profile | $23.59 | $49,070 | $42,320 | $57,210 | ** | ** | ** |
| 14 | Alaska profile | $23.47 | $48,820 | $37,990 | $65,860 | 80 | 0.25 | 5.81 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania profile | $23.22 | $48,290 | $36,570 | $59,380 | 370 | 0.06 | 1.43 |
| 16 | Louisiana profile | $22.57 | $46,940 | $36,870 | $63,240 | 320 | 0.17 | 3.83 |
| 17 | Montana profile | $22.46 | $46,720 | $37,330 | $76,040 | 120 | 0.24 | 5.56 |
| 18 | Nevada profile | $22.41 | $46,610 | $46,480 | $56,700 | 230 | 0.15 | 3.48 |
| 19 | Oregon profile | $22.25 | $46,270 | $42,900 | $64,160 | 90 | 0.04 | 1.02 |
| 20 | South Dakota profile | $21.75 | $45,250 | $36,330 | $53,140 | 60 | 0.13 | 3.11 |
| 21 | North Carolina profile | $20.51 | $42,670 | $33,410 | $59,680 | 150 | 0.03 | 0.68 |
| 22 | Florida profile | $19.75 | $41,090 | $37,570 | $47,780 | 420 | 0.04 | 0.97 |
| 23 | Texas profile | $19.54 | $40,650 | $35,410 | $47,180 | 970 | 0.07 | 1.60 |
| 24 | Oklahoma profile | $18.52 | $38,510 | $24,080 | $45,300 | 140 | 0.08 | 1.92 |
| 25 | Colorado profile | $18.00 | $37,450 | $37,450 | $81,960 | 190 | 0.07 | 1.51 |
| 26 | Mississippi profile | $17.38 | $36,160 | $31,030 | $37,220 | ** | ** | ** |
Part of Construction and Extraction Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 47-5081 Helpers--Extraction Workers.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 47-5081, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 47-5081.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.