Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface 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. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

What you'd actually do

• 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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 3.3% of earth drillers, except oil and gas are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, organized and detail-focused and analytical.

Related careers

• Structural Iron and Steel Workers
• Electricians
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Quick questions

How much does a earth drillers, except oil and ga make?

The median pay is $28.94 per hour — roughly $60,000 a year, with the real range running from about $21.37/hr (10th percentile) to $40.29/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a earth drillers, except oil and ga?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a earth drillers, except oil and ga actually do all day?

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.