Will “Hard Rock Drill Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Hard Rock 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…

Tasks for “Hard Rock Drill Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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