Jobs Similar to Helpers--Extraction Workers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to helpers--extraction workers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Roustabouts (Oil and Gas), Derrick Operators and Roof Bolters.
Helpers--Extraction Workers: $47,730 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
82% similar · $46,960 (−2%) · High school · Same group
- 2Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
81% similar · $58,620 (+23%) · High school · Same group
- 3Roof Bolters, Mining
81% similar · $78,540 (+65%) · High school · Same group
- 4Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
80% similar · $70,070 (+47%) · High school
- 5Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
80% similar · $60,190 (+26%) · High school · Same group
- 6Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
80% similar · $61,290 (+28%) · High school
- 7Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
80% similar · $57,430 (+20%) · High school · Same group
- 8Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
80% similar · $49,880 (+5%) · High school
- 9Agricultural Equipment Operators
80% similar · $41,730 (−13%) · High school
- 10Pile Driver Operators
79% similar · $73,300 (+54%) · High school
- 11Continuous Mining Machine Operators
79% similar · $61,810 (+29%) · High school · Same group
- 12Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
79% similar · $59,850 (+25%) · High school
- 13Dredge Operators
79% similar · $49,640 (+4%) · High school
- 14Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
79% similar · $74,500 (+56%) · High school · Same group
- 15Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
79% similar · $42,660 (−11%) · High school
- 16Logging Equipment Operators
79% similar · $49,740 (+4%) · High school
- 17Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
79% similar · $61,770 (+29%) · High school
- 18Sailors and Marine Oilers
78% similar · $51,520 (+8%) · High school
- 19Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
78% similar · $48,250 (+1%) · High school
- 20Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
78% similar · $65,510 (+37%) · Training or associate
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than helpers--extraction workers.
- Roof Bolters, Mining81% similar · $78,540 (+65%)
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining79% similar · $74,500 (+56%)
- Pile Driver Operators79% similar · $73,300 (+54%)
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators80% similar · $70,070 (+47%)
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators79% similar · $61,810 (+29%)
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers79% similar · $61,770 (+29%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for helpers--extraction workers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where helpers--extraction workers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Dredge Operators (89)
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers (87)
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers (84)
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (84)
- Logging Equipment Operators (83)
- Fallers (82)
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (82)
- Sailors and Marine Oilers (82)
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners (81)
- Agricultural Equipment Operators (80)
Questions about jobs like helpers--extraction workers
What jobs are most similar to helpers--extraction workers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Roustabouts (Oil and Gas) (82% similar), Derrick Operators (81% similar), Roof Bolters (81% similar), Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators (80% similar) and Earth Drillers (80% similar).
Which jobs like helpers--extraction workers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Roof Bolters ($78,540, +65%; usually a high school diploma), Loading and Moving Machine Operators ($74,500, +56%; usually a high school diploma) and Pile Driver Operators ($73,300, +54%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with helpers--extraction workers ($47,730). Without more preparation than helpers--extraction workers usually need: Roof Bolters, Loading and Moving Machine Operators and Pile Driver Operators.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.