Will AI replace Extraction Workers, Other?

In part. We think AI will eventually automate a real share of this work, but hands-on problem-solving in remote, unpredictable environments will keep humans in the picture for some time. Our 33.9% AI Resilience Score reflects real pressure. Mining and oil and gas companies are adopting automation fast, driven by decades of falling productivity . Autonomous trucks, remote drilling systems, and AI-powered digital twins are already reducing the need for constant manual intervention. The honest read is that routine, repeatable field tasks are the most exposed. What stays human, at least for now, is the ability to troubleshoot unexpected equipment failures, navigate harsh conditions, and make judgment calls that automated systems are not built for. Safety oversight and hands-on response work still require people on the ground. The bigger opportunity is in the career journey beyond this role. The oil and gas sector employed nearly 114,000 workers at a mean annual wage of $122,890 as of May 2025 , and recruiters report growing demand for hybrid workers who combine field experience with data literacy . If you are in extraction today, the skills that travel best are equipment knowledge, safety training, and a willingness to learn how to read and interpret the data systems replacing older workflows. That combination opens doors into roles that are considerably more resilient.

How is AI changing Extraction Workers, Other jobs?

Extraction work — pulling oil, gas, and minerals out of the ground — is one of the industries where AI and automation have moved fastest, but mostly to augment workers rather than replace them entirely. In mining, Rio Tinto's AutoHaul long-distance trains have travelled more than 7 million km since their introduction in 2019, and part of its iron-ore operations is a fleet of 130+ autonomous trucks operated by a supervisory system and a central controller, rather than drivers. The company notes that these systems also take truck operators out of harm's way, reducing the risks associated with working around heavy machinery. In oil and gas, professional groups are pushing similar ideas — more than 900 drilling and well professionals gathered at APDT 2026 in Bali to explore how AI and automation are driving safer, smarter drilling. According to a recruiter tracking the sector, digital twins are evolving into systems that can actively support operations, including scheduling maintenance, allocating tasks, and optimising performance, which reduces the need for constant manual intervention. That means today's field workers are shifting toward monitoring dashboards, troubleshooting equipment, and interpreting AI outputs.

How fast is AI adoption growing for Extraction Workers, Other?

Adoption is being pulled forward by tough economics. A McKinsey report summarized by Global Mining Review found mining productivity decreased by half from 1997 to 2023 while manufacturing more than doubled, giving companies a huge incentive to try AI, robotics, and automation. Labor costs also justify the investment: BLS reports that the oil and gas extraction industry had nearly 114,000 jobs in May 2025 and an annual mean wage of $122,890, making it one of the highest paying U.S. industries overall. But adoption has real limits — remote sites, harsh weather, safety rules, and the need for skilled humans to handle unexpected problems slow things down. The good news for young people: industry recruiters report growing demand for hybrid workers who mix hands-on field skills with data literacy, so learning both wrenches and dashboards makes you very hireable.

Not Very Resilient

Last Update: 11/4/2026

AI Resilience Score for Extraction Workers, Other:

33.9%

Median Score

Meaningful human contribution

Low

Long-term employer demand

Low

Sustained economic opportunity

Med

Our confidence in this score:

Low-medium

AI Resilience Report forExtraction Workers, All Other

$57,010 median salary•600 annual openings•SOC Code: 47-5099.00

Extraction Workers, All Other are less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 4 sources.

Extraction work is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because AI and automation are replacing some of the most common tasks in the field, like driving haul trucks, monitoring equipment, and scheduling maintenance, which used to require lots of workers on the ground. Companies like Rio Tinto are already running fleets of 130 or more autonomous trucks controlled by a central system, meaning fewer people are needed for those roles.

Learn more about how you can thrive in this position

This role is not very resilient

Extraction work is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because AI and automation are replacing some of the most common tasks in the field, like driving haul trucks, monitoring equipment, and scheduling maintenance, which used to require lots of workers on the ground. Companies like Rio Tinto are already running fleets of 130 or more autonomous trucks controlled by a central system, meaning fewer people are needed for those roles.

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Analysis of current AI resilience

Extraction Workers, Other

Updated quarterly

Your move

How can Extraction Workers, Other prepare for AI?

Learn to read dashboards and interpret data outputs, not just operate equipment.

The analysis points out that field workers in extraction are already shifting toward "monitoring dashboards, troubleshooting equipment, and interpreting AI outputs" rather than doing purely hands-on labor. This skill transfers everywhere. Start by taking free courses on data literacy through platforms like Khan Academy or Google's Data Analytics certificate, and practice reading real-time data visualizations so you understand what the numbers are telling you, a habit that will make you valuable in energy, manufacturing, logistics, and many other fields.

Get familiar with digital twins and what they actually do.

The analysis specifically mentions that digital twins in oil and gas are evolving into systems that schedule maintenance, allocate tasks, and optimize performance. Understanding how a digital twin works (a virtual model that mirrors a real physical system) is a transferable skill that shows up in aerospace, construction, and smart manufacturing too. Look for free explainer videos and beginner courses on digital twin technology, and try to connect that knowledge to how companies like Rio Tinto use autonomous systems to manage their iron-ore operations.

Build the "hybrid worker" profile that recruiters are already asking for.

Industry recruiters quoted in the analysis describe growing demand for workers who combine hands-on field skills with data literacy, mixing "wrenches and dashboards." You do not have to choose one or the other. Pursue vocational or technical training in equipment operation or industrial mechanics alongside a data or coding elective, because that combination is exactly what makes workers hard to replace and easy to transition into adjacent roles like robotics technician, automation specialist, or field engineer.

Study how safety regulations and remote-site challenges slow down AI adoption.

The analysis highlights that "remote sites, harsh weather, safety rules, and the need for skilled humans to handle unexpected problems" are real brakes on full automation. This means human judgment and problem-solving in unpredictable conditions will remain valuable for years. Practice thinking through safety scenarios, explore occupational safety coursework (OSHA offers free online training for students), and understand that being the person who can troubleshoot when an autonomous system like AutoHaul or a fleet of 130 autonomous trucks hits an unexpected situation is a genuinely durable career skill across industrial fields.

Follow industry conversations about AI in extraction so you can spot transitions early.

The analysis references events like APDT 2026 in Bali, where more than 900 drilling and well professionals gathered to discuss AI-driven drilling, and professional publications like jpt.spe.org and globalminingreview.com. You do not have to attend a conference in Bali, but you can read free articles from those sources right now. Building a habit of tracking how AI is reshaping an industry, including noticing that mining productivity dropped by half from 1997 to 2023 while manufacturing doubled, helps you recognize when a field is shifting and gives you time to reskill or pivot before a transition becomes urgent.

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More Career Info

Career: Extraction Workers, All Other

They remove materials like oil, gas, or minerals from the earth using specialized tools and equipment to help produce energy and raw materials.

SOC Code:

47-5099.00•Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Parent Careers

Major Group:Construction and Extraction Occupations

Minor Group:Extraction Workers

Broad Group:Miscellaneous Extraction Workers

Employment & Wage Data

Median Wage

$57,010

Jobs (2025)

5,900

Growth (2025-35)

+3.4%

Annual Openings

600

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience

None

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035

Not Very Resilient

33.9%

Methodology and Scoring Rationale

AI Resilience Report forExtraction Workers, All Other

This role is not very resilient

Extraction Workers, Other

How is AI changing Extraction Workers, Other jobs?

Sources

How fast is AI adoption growing for Extraction Workers, Other?

Sources

Will AI replace Extraction Workers, Other?

Sources

How can Extraction Workers, Other prepare for AI?

Your Career Starts Here

Latest AI news for Extraction Workers, Other

More Career Info

Career: Extraction Workers, All Other

Parent Careers

Employment & Wage Data