Roustabout
Build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.
- $46,960
- 1–3 months
Energy & Utilities career
Extraction Helper
Also called: Mining Helper · Drilling Helper · Floorhand Helper · Field Helper
What extraction helpers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an extraction helper do?
Helpers, extraction workers, help extraction craft workers such as earth drillers, blasters and miners by performing duties requiring less skill. The median pay is $47,730 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Weeks to months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +1.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$47,730$22.95/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.7%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainWeeks to months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs7,100Employment, 2025
What extraction helpers do
Extraction helpers support field crews. They carry tools and supplies, clean equipment, help set up drills and pumps, move pipe, do cleanup and learn the work of drillers, miners and blasters.
A high school diploma and moderate training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Carry tools and supplies
- Clean equipment
- Help set up drills
- Move pipe
- Clean sites
- Assist crews
- Follow safety rules
Work environment and schedule
Helpers work outdoors at mines, quarries and oil fields.
Schedule: Long shifts and rotations.
A day in the life
- Safety meeting.
- Load supplies.
- Help set up the drill.
- Move pipe.
See a full day in the life of an extraction helper →
Extraction Helper salary
Half of extraction helpers earned more than $47,730 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,960 for the lowest 10% to $68,020 for the top 10%.
Full extraction helper pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an extraction helper
- Finish high school
- Get safety training
- Get hired
- Learn the crew’s work
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an extraction helper →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Tool handling
- Equipment cleaning
- Rigging basics
- Material handling
- Safety procedures
People skills
- Willingness to learn
- Stamina
- Reliability
- Teamwork
All extraction helper skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Entry to energy jobs
- Good pay for entry level
- Overtime
- Learn on the job
Cons
- Physical work
- Weather
- Remote sites
- Industry cycles
Certifications and licenses
- MSHA training: At mines.
- SafeLand: Oil field safety.
- H2S awareness: Oil fields.
- First aid: Helpful.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Floorhand or Miner: Crew.
- Driller or Operator: Skilled.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Extraction Helper training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as be safe as a new field worker and help rig up equipment, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Derrick Operator
Work high in the drilling rig handling pipe and managing drilling mud.
- $58,620
- Under 5 years of rig experience
Surface Mining Equipment Operator
Run giant trucks, loaders and shovels at surface mines and quarries.
- $57,430
- Months of on-the-job training
Construction Laborer
Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
- $47,120
- Days to weeks (on the job)
Compare: Extraction Helper vs. Roustabout · Extraction Helper vs. Derrick Operator · Extraction Helper vs. Surface Mining Equipment Operator · Extraction Helper vs. Construction Laborer
Extraction Helper FAQ
Do I need experience?
No.
Is it a path to better jobs?
Yes, to driller or operator.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
How much does an extraction helper make?
The median annual wage for extraction helpers was $47,730 ($22.95 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,960 and the highest 10% earned more than $68,020.
How long does it take to become an extraction helper?
Most people need about Weeks to months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be an extraction helper?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More extraction helper questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-5081 (Helpers--extraction workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Helpers--extraction workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.