Will “Rock Drill Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

85% Chance of Automation

“Rock 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…

Tasks for “Rock Drill Operator”

Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
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.
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
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.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
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.
Design well pumping systems.
Fabricate well casings.
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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