Will “Post Hole Digger” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Post Hole Digger” 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 “Post Hole Digger”

Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
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.
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Design well pumping systems.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
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 water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
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.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Fabricate well casings.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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