Helpers--Extraction Workers vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $48K vs $42K Median Pay

Helpers--Extraction Workers vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: what changes?

Consider Helpers--Extraction Workers if you want to help extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. Consider Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters if you would rather help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Both list high school diploma or equivalent; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Helpers--Extraction Workers and Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Helpers--Extraction Workers

National median pay (2025): $47,730
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 700

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (7,100 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Helpers--Extraction Workers brief

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

National median pay (2025): $42,360
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 4,400

Know before you choose

The job can require working in cramped or physically awkward positions for meaningful stretches of time.

See the full Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters brief

How the national numbers differ

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has the edge on annual openings

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is at 4,400 annual openings, compared with 700 annual openings for Helpers--Extraction Workers.

Helpers--Extraction Workers has the edge on median pay

Helpers--Extraction Workers is at $47,730, compared with $42,360 for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has the edge on projected growth

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is at 2.4% projected growth, compared with 1.7% projected growth for Helpers--Extraction Workers.

33.2/ 100

Helpers--Extraction Workers

42.3/ 100

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Helpers--Extraction Workers vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Dimension	Helpers--Extraction Workers	Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Median pay (2025)	$47,730	$42,360
Pay percentile	25.7 percentile	14.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	1.7%	2.4%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	700	4,400
2025 employment	7,100	45,300
How you qualify	High school diploma or equivalent; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing	High school diploma or equivalent; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 2	Job Zone 2
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.	One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Helpers--Extraction Workers brief Read Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters brief

Helpers--Extraction Workers vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Helpers--Extraction Workers

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

How the national numbers differ

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has the edge on annual openings

Helpers--Extraction Workers has the edge on median pay

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has the edge on projected growth

Helpers--Extraction Workers vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

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