Helpers–Extraction Workers

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Driller Helper
• Driller's Assistant
• Miner Helper
• Powderman

Alternate Job Titles

• Blaster Helper
• Blasting Helper
• Boring Machine Operator Helper
• Bottom Hole Pressure Recording Operator Helper
• Churn Driller Helper
• Clean Out Driller Helper
• Clean-Out Driller Helper
• Coal Loader
• Continuous Miner Operator Helper
• Core Drill Operator Helper
• Core Driller Helper
• Cutter Operator Helper
• Cutting Machine Operator Helper
• Derrick Hand
• Derrick Helper

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.
• Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.
• Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.
• Set up and adjust equipment used to excavate geological materials.
• Organize materials to prepare for use.
• Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.
• Clean up work areas and remove debris after extraction activities are complete.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Mechanical
• English Language

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Monitoring
2. Operations Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Manual Dexterity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Control Precision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Reaction Time
• Far Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Static Strength
• Trunk Strength

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Attention to Detail
• Stress Tolerance
• Self-Control

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Working Conditions
• Relationships
• Independence
• Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Google Docs
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• Bell reamers
• Claw hammers
• Compact tracked excavators
• Core drill rigs
• Cutting machines
• Drilling mud tanks
• Electrical detonators
• Explosive blasting caps
• Field forklifts
• Four-wheel drive front end loaders
• Hand augers
• High pressure steam cleaners
• Hoisting equipment
• Hydraulic boring machines
• Hydraulic rams

Work Environment

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
• Exposed to Contaminants

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$35,770
Median	$48,400
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$68,240

Workers Employed Nationally: 6,720

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.