🛢️
Oil and Gas Extraction
Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Helpers--Extraction Workers keep drilling and extraction sites moving by hauling materials, setting up equipment, and watching machines for problems. The work is very hands-on and often outdoors, which makes it a fit for people who want practical site work rather than desk work, but it also means physical strain, safety risks, and limited room for remote work.
Also known as Drilling HelperRig HelperOilfield HelperMining HelperRoughneck
Median Salary
$48,400
Mean $50,330
U.S. Workforce
~7K
0.7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-1.7%
7K to 6.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Helpers--Extraction Workers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~7K workers, with a median annual pay of $48,400 and roughly 0.7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 7 K in 2024 to 6.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Site Laborer / General Helper and can progress toward Equipment Operator / Field Maintenance Technician. High-value skills usually include Monitoring Equipment & Gauges, Operations Monitoring, and Equipment Maintenance, paired with soft skills such as Safety awareness, Teamwork, and Clear communication.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up and adjust drills, excavation tools, and other equipment before work begins.
- Load rock, soil, or other materials into wells or machines using hand tools.
- Move parts, supplies, and material around the site with powered equipment or trucks.
- Watch machines while extraction is underway and report unusual sounds, movement, or performance.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set up and adjust drills, excavation tools, and other equipment before work begins.
02 Load rock, soil, or other materials into wells or machines using hand tools.
03 Move parts, supplies, and material around the site with powered equipment or trucks.
04 Watch machines while extraction is underway and report unusual sounds, movement, or performance.
05 Clean up the work area and clear away debris when a job is finished.
06 Help repair drills, trucks, and other equipment with hand tools and basic maintenance tasks.
Industries That Hire
⛏️
Mining
Rio Tinto, Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont
🛠️
Drilling and Well Services
Nabors Industries, Helmerich & Payne, Patterson-UTI
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Construction and Heavy Civil
Kiewit, Bechtel, Fluor
🪨
Quarrying and Aggregate Production
Martin Marietta Materials, Vulcan Materials, CRH
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You do not need a college degree to get started; 96.59% of workers have a high school diploma or equivalent.
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The job is straightforward to enter compared with many skilled trades because employers expect moderate-term on-the-job training.
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Pay is solid for an entry-level physical job, with a median annual wage of $48.4K and a mean of $50.33K.
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The work is practical and varied, combining equipment setup, material handling, inspections, and basic repairs.
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It can be a stepping stone into heavier-paying roles like equipment operator, mechanic, or crew lead.
Challenges
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The outlook is weak: employment is projected to slip from 7.0K jobs in 2024 to 6.9K by 2034, a drop of 1.7%.
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Openings are limited, with only about 0.7K annual openings, so getting in may depend on location and timing.
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The work is physically demanding and often dirty, with lifting, hauling, cleanup, and long stretches around loud machinery.
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Remote work is rare because the job has to be done on site around drilling or extraction equipment.
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A lot of the work is routine, so long-term pay growth can be limited unless you move into a more skilled operator or maintenance role, and those routine tasks are the most likely to be standardized or automated over time.
Career Progression
Site Laborer / General Helper
0-1 years
$36K-$42K
You start by moving materials, keeping the site clean, and learning basic safety habits around heavy equipment.
Helpers--Extraction Workers
1-4 years
$43K-$54K
You take on the core helper duties: setting up equipment, loading materials, spotting machine issues, and helping with routine repairs.
Lead Extraction Helper THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$55K-$67K
You coordinate day-to-day work for a small crew, handle more equipment checks, and step in on tougher maintenance tasks.
Equipment Operator / Field Maintenance Technician
7+ years
$68K-$82K
You move into a more skilled field role with more responsibility for running equipment, fixing mechanical problems, and keeping production on schedule.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the main entry point, held by 96.59% of workers in this occupation.
Postsecondary certificate in heavy equipment, diesel mechanics, or oilfield operations
A smaller path into the job, with 1.71% of workers reporting this level.
Associate's degree in industrial maintenance or construction technology
Another alternative route, also represented by 1.71% of workers.
Entry-level laborer role plus moderate-term on-the-job training
BLS says this occupation typically uses moderate-term on-the-job training, so many workers learn the job after being hired.
Key Skills
Technical
Monitoring Equipment & Gauges 75%
Operations Monitoring 72%
Equipment Maintenance 70%
Machine Operation & Controls 70%
Repairing Drills, Trucks & Hydraulic Systems 68%
Troubleshooting Mechanical Problems 68%
Hand Tools, Wrenches & Torque Tools 66%
Heavy Equipment Operation 64%
Soft Skills
Safety awarenessTeamworkClear communicationAttention to detailPhysical staminaProblem-solving Job Outlook and Trends
+-1.7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 7K to 6.9 K over the next decade, representing -1.7% growth. Around 0.7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.