OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE Earth Driller, Except Oil and Gas (47-5021.00) At-a-Glance Statistics Sample Blast Hole Driller, Diamond Driller, Drill Operator, Driller, Hard Rock Drill Operator, Highwall Drill Operator, Rock Drill Operator, Underground Drill Operator, Water Well Driller, Well Driller Job Titles Key Tasks • Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills. • Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes. • Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled. • Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed. • Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks. • Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust 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. • 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. • Document geological formations encountered during work. • Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites. • Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools. • Record drilling progress and geological data. • Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns. All data sourced from O'NET OnLine (2018) https./Avww onetonline.org/. ------- Education and Training Top Industries High school diploma or equivalent 73% Less than high school diploma 15% Post-secondary certificate 12% Median Wages Hourly $21.36 EH Annually $44,430 ft Construction Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction Number Employed 19,000 positions 3,900 job openings Top Ten States for Occupational Percentage Growth WY CO CT FL MN CA SC TX ID AK ------- |