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