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”

Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.
Fabricate well casings.
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Record drilling progress and geological data.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
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.
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.
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
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.
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
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.
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
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.
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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