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