Career comparison
Construction Laborer vs. Extraction Helper
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Extraction helpers earn more at the median ($47,730 vs. $47,120), while construction laborers usually get to work faster (Days to weeks (on the job) of training). Construction laborers prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job. Extraction helpers assist miners, drillers and crews in mines and oil fields.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Construction Laborer | Extraction Helper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,120 ($22.66/hr) | $47,730 ($22.95/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,090 – $78,090 | $36,960 – $68,020 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.3% (much faster than average) | +1.7% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 120,000 | 700 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Days to weeks (on the job) | Weeks to months on the job |
| Key credential | OSHA 10-Hour Construction | MSHA training |
| Work setting | Laborers work outdoors in all kinds of weather on construction sites, roadways and demolition projects. | Helpers work outdoors at mines, quarries and oil fields.. |
What each job does
Construction Laborer
- Prepare and clean job sites, removing debris and hazards
- Load, unload and move building materials
- Dig, backfill and compact trenches and foundations
- Mix, pour and spread concrete and asphalt
- Erect and dismantle scaffolding, barricades and forms
Extraction Helper
- Carry tools and supplies
- Clean equipment
- Help set up drills
- Move pipe
- Clean sites
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working outdoors, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and energy & utilities, but share transferable skills such as reliability and punctuality and willingness to learn.
Which should you choose?
Choose construction laborer if…
- I like physical work and staying active all day
- I don’t mind getting dirty or working in bad weather
- I want to start working right away
Choose extraction helper if…
- I want to start in energy
- I’m strong
- I like outdoor work
Still torn? Take the Construction Laborer fit quiz and the Extraction Helper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, construction laborer or extraction helper?
Extraction Helpers earn more at the median: $47,730 versus $47,120 for construction laborers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Construction Laborers typically train faster (Days to weeks (on the job)) than extraction helpers (Weeks to months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects construction laborers to grow +7.3% from 2025–35, compared with +1.7% for extraction helpers.