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