Occupation

Helpers--Extraction Workers

Human Advantage 62%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.5 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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: 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 +50 more

Core Tasks

  1. Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.
  2. Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.
  3. Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.
  4. Set up and adjust equipment used to excavate geological materials.
  5. Organize materials to prepare for use.
  6. Repair and maintain automotive and drilling equipment, using hand tools.
  7. Clean up work areas and remove debris after extraction activities are complete.
  8. Clean and prepare sites for excavation or boring.
  9. Load materials into well holes or into equipment, using hand tools.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Provide assistance to extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers and derrick operators.
  2. Collect and examine geological matter, using hand tools and testing devices.
  3. Signal workers to start geological material extraction or boring.
  4. Dismantle extracting and boring equipment used for excavation, using hand tools.
  5. Dig trenches.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
97%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
2%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
2%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

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

Software (6)

  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Tools & Equipment (32)

  • 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
  • Longwall shears
  • Lube guns
  • Materials conveyors
  • Mobile radios
  • Mud rotary drills
  • Multipurpose wrenches
  • Personal computers
  • Portable sump pumps
  • Power rock coring drills
  • Prying tools
  • Raise drills
  • Remote firing devices
  • Rig mud pumps
  • Shielded arc welding tools
  • Spirit levels
  • Truck-mounted derricks
  • Utility trucks

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Resource Extraction Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas 80% match
Zone 2
Helpers--Extraction Workers You are here
Zone 3
Industrial Machinery Mechanics 78% match
Zone 4
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians 76% match
Zone 5
Hydrologists 73% match

Resume Builder

Select key tasks to generate action-oriented resume bullets for Helpers--Extraction Workers positions.

Related Occupations

Compare skills gap with any of these related roles.

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair WorkersClosely Related Helpers--Production WorkersClosely Related Earth Drillers, Except Oil and GasClosely Related Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasClosely Related Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersClosely Related Helpers--Carpenters Continuous Mining Machine Operators Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Show all 20 related occupations
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters Helpers--Electricians Roustabouts, Oil and Gas Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Maintenance Workers, Machinery Hoist and Winch Operators Construction Laborers Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Machine Feeders and Offbearers Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

Real Talk

Hear from real Helpers--Extraction Workerss about their work:

Reddit Day-in-the-life discussions Reddit Salary discussions YouTube Video day-in-the-life Glassdoor Reviews & salaries