Will “Well Digger” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Well 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 “Well Digger”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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