Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.

What you'd actually do

• Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
• Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
• Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
• Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
• Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
• Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Less than high school. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; time pressure is a real part of the job; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 1.4% of rotary drill operators, 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

• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Electricians
• Structural Iron and Steel Workers
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
• Tapers

Quick questions

How much does a rotary drill operators, oil and ga make?

The median pay is $32.64 per hour — roughly $68,000 a year, with the real range running from about $22.60/hr (10th percentile) to $48.97/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a rotary drill operators, oil and ga?

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

What does a rotary drill operators, oil and ga actually do all day?

Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective. Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes. Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.