Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

What the job really is

Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-5023
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
• Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
• Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
• Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
• Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
• Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
• Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
• Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
• Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
• Document geological formations encountered during work.
• Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
• Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, Adjustable combination wrenches, Air rotary drills, Alternating current AC generators, Backhoe-equipped tractors, Bobcats, Cable tool drills, Chain slings, Core drill rigs, Desanders

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
• Helpers--Extraction Workers
• Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Continuous Mining Machine Operators
• Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
• Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.