Will AI replace Helpers--Extraction Workers?

Help extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. The percentage shown is a task-exposure model, not a prediction of certain job loss.

O*NET 30.3 · 47-5081.00 · modeled exposure, not guaranteed job loss

LOW TASK EXPOSURE

17%

Estimated share of representative tasks exposed to current AI capabilities.

Category#

Trades & Physical

Field & Physical

Modeled pay midpoint$

$92,300/yr

Directional estimate — verify locally

Time until impact⌁

6–10+ years

Earliest 2032 · widespread 2036+

Task-level replaceability ⓘ

Representative tasks ranked from highest to lowest AI exposure.

✦Physical dexterity in unpredictable settings28%

◇Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.27%

✦Safety responsibility and on-site judgment24%

⚙Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.16%

▥Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.12%

Impact timeline ⓘ

How AI assistance may move from early support to wider adoption.

2032Next2036+

Light supportAI provides limited help with observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems..

AugmentationTools improve productivity without owning outcomes.

Human-ledCore work stays anchored in physical dexterity in unpredictable settings.

6–10+ yearsdirectional confidence window

HOW AI CHANGES THIS JOBtyping the logic in plain English

01>Start with the real work done by Helpers--Extraction Workers.

02>AI can help with: Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.

03>If a task is repetitive and easy to check, AI pressure goes up.

04>But a person is still needed for: Physical dexterity in unpredictable settings.

05>Likely result: AI mostly acts as a helper while the core job stays human-led.

06>Important: 17% is estimated task exposure—not a 17% chance of losing the job.

What AI can do

Observe and monitor equipment operation during the extraction process to detect any problems.LOW MATCH

Drive moving equipment to transport materials and parts to excavation sites.LOW MATCH

Unload materials, devices, and machine parts, using hand tools.LOW MATCH

How estimates work →

Your human moat

◆

Physical dexterity in unpredictable settings

HIGH MOAT

Combined with safety responsibility and on-site judgment, this keeps a human in the loop.

Strength9.5

Similar-role comparison

RoleRisk

Helpers--Extraction Workers17%

Airline Pilot18%

HVAC Technician18%

Mechanical Door Repairers18%

Why this score?

✓The model evaluates 3 representative core tasks.

✓The core work depends on presence, dexterity, or accountability.

✓Occupation and task language comes from O*NET 30.3.

✓The strongest human advantage is physical dexterity in unpredictable settings.

Research basis

O*NET 30.3 occupation tasks plus the ILO 2025 exposure framework. Scores are directional estimates.

Read ILO research →

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Will AI replace Helpers--Extraction Workers?

Physical dexterity in unpredictable settings

Why this score?

Related Trades & Physical job reports