Will “Post Hole Digging Machine Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Post Hole Digging 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 “Post Hole Digging Machine Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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