Will “Drill Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
85% Chance of Automation
“Drill Operator” 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
- Directional Driller
- 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 “Drill Operator”
- Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
- Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
- Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
- 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.
- Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
- Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
- Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
- Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
- Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
- Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
- Record drilling progress and geological data.
- Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
- Fabricate well casings.
- Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
- Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
- Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
- Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
- Document geological formations encountered during work.
- Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
- Signal crane operators to move equipment.
- Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
- Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
- 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.
- Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
- Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Related Technology & Tools
- Drilling collars
- Backhoe-equipped tractors
- Desanders
- Truck-mounted water pumps
- Mud mixers
- Handheld remote thermometers
- Portable air compressors
- Air rotary drills
- Water monitoring samplers
- Adjustable combination wrenches
- Marsh funnels
- Water logging tools
- Rotary drilling tools
- Water sampling bailers
- Shale shakers
- Work trucks
- Tablet computers
- Mud rotary drills
- Water level meters
- Grout pumps
- Pipe retrieval fishing tools
- Lube guns
- Personal computers
- Drill pipe tongs
- Digital video cameras
- Earth drilling machines
- Truck mounted cranes
- Alternating current AC generators
- Field forklifts
- Water test kits
- Trenchers
- Core drill rigs
- Chain slings
- Mud pumping equipment
- Mud balances
- Power augers
- Laptop computers
- Precision levels
- Bobcats
- Mud guns
- Downhole well testing equipment
- Downhole hammers
- Cable tool drills
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Submerged arc welding tools
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Excel