Duties include driving equipment to transport materials to excavation sites, unloading machine parts, and setting up or adjusting equipment used to dig out geological material. Helpers also keep an eye on equipment during the extraction process to catch problems early and handle basic repair and maintenance of drilling and automotive equipment. The job is physically demanding and happens outdoors on active extraction sites, working closely with a crew under real safety hazards, which is why specialized protective equipment is standard.
Pros
Pay can reach over $68k without requiring any postsecondary education
Hands-on entry point into extraction trades, learning equipment operation and maintenance on the job
Team-based fieldwork with a clear, structured set of daily responsibilities
Cons
Above-average hours, often 40-50 per week on active extraction sites
Employment in this field is projected to shrink over the next decade (-1.7%)
Outdoor work with regular exposure to hazardous equipment and heights, and a relatively small number of positions nationwide
A typical day
The crew van leaves the yard before dawn for a drill site an hour out, and the helper's first job is the ground-level grunt work that makes drilling possible: rolling out hose, connecting water lines, and racking drill pipe in the order the driller will need it. Through the shift the helper watches gauges, greases equipment on schedule, and keeps the pad clear of trip hazards while the rig turns. When the blasting contractor arrives, the helper stands watch at the perimeter, checking that the exclusion zone stays empty. It's loud, muddy, weather-exposed work with mandatory safety briefings bookending every task, and the day ends washing down equipment and logging hours.
Tasks at the job
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.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens primarily outdoors, exposed to whatever the weather is doing, and you work in close physical proximity to coworkers or the public for much of the shift. Noise levels can be distracting or uncomfortable. The role involves regular exposure to hazardous equipment or conditions and contaminants and working at heights, and specialized protective equipment is standard.
There's a regular, moderate amount of time pressure, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. You'll regularly deal with frustrated or upset people as part of the job, and almost all of the work is done as part of a team.
Education necessary or common
High school diploma; some on-the-job training or apprenticeship
Licenses & certifications
MSHA Part 46/48 new miner training — required on mine sites
OSHA 10-Hour Construction
CDL (later) — hugely valuable for hauling on extraction crews