How much does a helpers--extraction worker make?
The median helpers--extraction worker in the United States earns $47,730 per year, about $22.95 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all helpers--extraction workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5081.
Helpers--extraction worker salary range
Pay for helpers--extraction workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,960 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $68,020. The average (mean) wage of $50,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,960 | $17.77 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,430 | $19.92 | |
| Median (50th) | $47,730 | $22.95 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $57,920 | $27.84 | |
| 90th percentile | $68,020 | $32.70 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for helpers--extraction workers (SOC 47-5081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Helpers--extraction worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Helpers--extraction workers earn the most in West Virginia at $77,180 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $36,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $77,180 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $68,020 | 230 |
| Utah | $55,490 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $55,240 | 110 |
| New York | $54,910 | 210 |
| New Mexico | $54,840 | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $54,700 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $53,820 | N/A |
| California | $51,720 | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $51,020 | 80 |
| Virginia | $50,350 | 90 |
| Indiana | $49,490 | 140 |
| Arizona | $49,070 | N/A |
| Alaska | $48,820 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,290 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $46,940 | 320 |
| Montana | $46,720 | 120 |
| Nevada | $46,610 | 230 |
| Oregon | $46,270 | 90 |
| South Dakota | $45,250 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $42,670 | 150 |
| Florida | $41,090 | 420 |
| Texas | $40,650 | 970 |
| Oklahoma | $38,510 | 140 |
| Colorado | $37,450 | 190 |
| Mississippi | $36,160 | N/A |
State median wages for helpers--extraction workers (SOC 47-5081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for helpers--extraction workers
The BLS projects employment of helpers--extraction workers to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 7,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 7,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 700 openings a year for helpers--extraction workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a helpers--extraction worker
The typical entry-level education for helpers--extraction workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a helpers--extraction worker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (West Virginia, $77,180) and the lowest (Mississippi, $36,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 6,700 people work as helpers--extraction workers in the United States. At $47,730 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Helpers--extraction worker salary FAQ
How much does a helpers--extraction worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a helpers--extraction worker is $22.95. The middle half of helpers--extraction workers earn between $19.92 and $27.84 per hour.
What is the highest helpers--extraction worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of helpers--extraction workers earn more than $68,020 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a helpers--extraction worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a helpers--extraction worker is $47,730. The average (mean) wage of $50,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a helpers--extraction worker a well paid job?
At $47,730 a year, a helpers--extraction worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 6,700 people work as helpers--extraction workers in the United States.
Which state pays helpers--extraction workers the most?
West Virginia has the highest median salary for helpers--extraction workers at $77,180 a year. Kentucky ($68,020) and Utah ($55,490) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a helpers--extraction worker a good career?
Employment of helpers--extraction workers is projected to grow 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a helpers--extraction worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for helpers--extraction workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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