Will “Directional Driller” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
85% Chance of Automation
“Directional Driller” will probably be replaced by robots.
This job is ranked #488 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.
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Job Description
Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap sub-surface 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. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-5021.00
- The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 51,240.00
- The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 24.00
- Currently, there are 18,500 people on this job
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas”.
Also Known As…
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Well Driller
- Rock Drill Operator
- Overburden Drill Operator
- Highwall Drill Operator
- Hard Rock Drill Operator
- Driller
- Drill Operator
- Blasting Production Technician
- Blaster
- Blast Hole Driller
- Well Testing Operator
- Well Driller Helper
- Well Drill Operator
- Well Digger
- Water Well Driller
- Wash Driller
- Wagoner
- Wagon Driller
- Wagon Drill Operator
- Tunneling Machine Operator
- Test Driller
- Test Borer
- Stoper
- Soil Sampler
- Shot Core Drill Operator
- Raise Driller
- Post Hole Digging Machine Operator
- Post Hole Digger
- Operating Engineer
- Mine Equipment Operator
- Machine Driller
- Jumper
- Hydraulic Rock Drill Operator
- Horizontal Earth Boring Machine Operator
- Horizontal Drill Operator
- Hole Digger Operator
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Ground Water Contractor
- Geothermal Operating Engineer
- Geotechnical Operating Engineer
- Foundation Drill Operator
- Explosive Bore Hole Driller
- Environmental Sampler
- Electric Drill Operator
- Earth Boring Machine Operator
- Earth Auger Operator
- Drilling Machine Runner
- Drilling Machine Operator
- Drill Runner
- Drill Hand
- Diamond Driller
- Deep Well Contractor
- Core Sampler
- Core Driller
- Core Drill Operator
- Construction Driller
- Coal Mine Bore Hole Drill Operator
- Churn Driller
- Churn Drill Operator
- Boring Machine Operator
- Auger Operator
Tasks for “Directional Driller”
- Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
- Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
- Signal crane operators to move equipment.
- Fabricate well casings.
- Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
- Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
- Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
- Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
- Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
- Design well pumping systems.
- Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
- Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
- Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
- Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
- Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
- Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
- Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
- Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
- Record drilling progress and geological data.
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
- Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
- Document geological formations encountered during work.
- Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
- Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
- Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
- Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
- Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
- Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
- Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Related Technology & Tools
- Truck mounted cranes
- Core drill rigs
- Digital video cameras
- Earth drilling machines
- Desanders
- Rotary drilling tools
- Tablet computers
- Chain slings
- Submerged arc welding tools
- Backhoe-equipped tractors
- Marsh funnels
- Lube guns
- Truck-mounted water pumps
- Water test kits
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Water monitoring samplers
- Work trucks
- Grout pumps
- Precision levels
- Adjustable combination wrenches
- Pipe retrieval fishing tools
- Water logging tools
- Mud guns
- Mud pumping equipment
- Air rotary drills
- Power augers
- Downhole hammers
- Water level meters
- Handheld remote thermometers
- Trenchers
- Personal computers
- Mud rotary drills
- Drilling collars
- Alternating current AC generators
- Portable air compressors
- Bobcats
- Cable tool drills
- Mud mixers
- Field forklifts
- Downhole well testing equipment
- Laptop computers
- Mud balances
- Water sampling bailers
- Drill pipe tongs
- Shale shakers
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word