Will “Earth Boring Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Earth Boring Machine 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…

Tasks for “Earth Boring Machine Operator”

Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Fabricate well casings.
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.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
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.
Design well pumping systems.

Related Technology & Tools

Chain slings
Truck mounted cranes
Water level meters
Portable air compressors
Core drill rigs
Air rotary drills
Downhole hammers
Drilling collars
Shale shakers
Mud pumping equipment
Mud balances
Water test kits
Truck-mounted water pumps
Mud guns
Precision levels
Digital video cameras
Mud mixers
Personal computers
Lube guns
Grout pumps
Water sampling bailers
Adjustable combination wrenches
Work trucks
Rotary drilling tools
Backhoe-equipped tractors
Downhole well testing equipment
Power augers
Water logging tools
Mud rotary drills
Water monitoring samplers
Tablet computers
Cable tool drills
Submerged arc welding tools
Pipe retrieval fishing tools
Global positioning system GPS receivers
Earth drilling machines
Trenchers
Marsh funnels
Laptop computers
Desanders
Bobcats
Handheld remote thermometers
Drill pipe tongs
Field forklifts
Alternating current AC generators

Global positioning system GPS software
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Excel
Data entry software
Microsoft Word