Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Extraction workers, all other (47-5099) represent a relatively small occupation, with national employment of 6,000 workers and a national median annual salary of $50,110. This role typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to those who prefer to enter the workforce without a lengthy postsecondary program. The projected employment growth of 1.4% and about 1,000 annual openings suggest a modest but ongoing flow of job opportunities. Success in this field draws on a mix of physical abilities, technical understanding, and problem-solving, supported by skills such as fine motor control, mechanical aptitude, physical strength and stamina, and strong attention to detail. Workers who also bring leadership, project management, and interpersonal skills may be better prepared for roles that involve coordinating with others. For people considering hands-on, mechanically oriented work with clear entry requirements, this occupation offers a defined pathway with multiple geographic options to explore.
The national median annual salary for extraction workers, all other is $50,110. Pay levels vary meaningfully by state and metro area. Among the highlighted states, Colorado shows the highest median salary at $77,890, followed by New York at $64,180 and Texas at $61,290. Minnesota and Ohio have lower listed medians of $47,070 and $44,550, respectively. At the metro level, Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX stands out with a median salary of $66,910, with Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX close behind at $64,740. San Antonio–New Braunfels, TX and Reno, NV also show medians above $60,000, while Casper, WY is closer to the national median at $51,160. These figures indicate that earnings can differ significantly by location, so those open to relocating may want to compare state and metro salary medians when evaluating job offers and long-term earning potential.
Extraction workers, all other have national employment of 6,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 1.4%. In addition, there are an estimated 1,000 annual openings. Together, these figures point to a labor market with ongoing turnover and some projected expansion. The listed top states and metro areas all share the same 1.4% growth rate, indicating a consistent projection across those locations. With a relatively small national employment base, even modest growth and regular openings can be meaningful for job seekers focused on this specific occupation. The presence of annual openings suggests opportunities both for new entrants and for experienced workers looking to move between employers or regions. Individuals comparing careers may also want to consider related roles, such as helpers–extraction workers, rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators, excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining, sailors and marine oilers, and derrick operators, oil and gas, as additional pathways in similar labor markets.
Geography plays a significant role for extraction workers, all other, with notable differences across states and metro areas. Among states ranked by opportunity score, New York leads with a score of 65.78, a median salary of $64,180, employment of 50, and 1.4% growth. Colorado follows with an even higher median salary of $77,890 and employment of 60, paired with an opportunity score of 56.97. Texas combines a relatively high median salary of $61,290 with much larger employment of 1,070 and an opportunity score of 51.57, indicating more total positions. Minnesota and Ohio show lower median salaries but still appear as top states by opportunity score, at 49.59 and 42.84 respectively. At the metro level, Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX has the highest opportunity score (55.08) and a median salary of $66,910. Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX, San Antonio–New Braunfels, TX, Casper, WY, and Reno, NV also offer distinct combinations of salary, employment levels, and opportunity scores that candidates can weigh when choosing where to focus a job search.
The typical education requirement for extraction workers, all other is a high school diploma or equivalent. This creates a relatively direct path into the occupation without the need for extended college study. However, success in this field relies on a broad skill set. Physical strength and stamina and fine motor skills support the hands-on nature of the work. Mechanical skills and science knowledge help workers understand and work with equipment and processes. Mathematics, problem solving and decision making, and being detail oriented support accurate, reliable performance. Leadership and project management skills can be valuable for coordinating tasks or overseeing aspects of work, while interpersonal skills are important when working with others on-site. For students or job seekers, focusing on building these abilities—through high school coursework, practical experiences, and entry-level roles—can align their preparation with what this occupation typically demands, while keeping educational requirements manageable.
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