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