Occupation · SOC 47-5012
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.
Median wage
$65,010
$42,750–$98,510
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
13,090
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
4 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingMonitoringInstructingActive ListeningCoordinationSpeaking
Knowledge areas
MechanicalMathematicsAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human Resources
Technology & tools
Industrial control softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
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 rCount sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Drill pipe sections — count and record under direct supervision to verify borehole depth on an active oil and gas well site.Hand tools and powered wrenches — assist in connecting sections of drill pipe under the guidance of a senior operator during routine drilling operations.Pressure gauges and basic instrument panels — identify and read to recognize normal operating ranges while shadowing experienced crew members.Throttles and levers on the rotary table — operate at reduced speed under close direction to maintain basic drilling tempo on a supervised rig.Slush pump operation — observe startup procedures and report circulation inconsistencies of drilling fluid to a lead operator during initial well runs.Draw works controls, including brake pedals and levers — practice lowering and raising drill pipe under direct supervision on a training rig or live site.Drilling activity logs — complete basic entries for footage drilled and time required using paper or digital templates provided by a supervisor.Personal protective equipment and rig safety protocols — follow established procedures consistently to support crew safety on a working drill site.Mechanical components of rotary drill equipment — identify major parts and their functions during pre-shift walkarounds with experienced crew.Verbal instructions from lead operators — listen actively and confirm understanding before executing assigned tasks on a live drilling operation.
developing
Rotary table speed and borehole pressure — monitor and adjust throttles and levers with reduced oversight to maintain target drilling parameters on a producing well.Drill pipe sections — independently count, tally, and cross-reference records to confirm borehole depth accuracy during routine field operations.Powered tongs and wrenches — connect and disconnect drill pipe sections reliably and safely with minimal supervision on day-to-day drilling shifts.Draw works brake pedals and levers — control lowering and raising of casings and drill strings consistently across varying load conditions at an oil field site.Slush pump startup and monitoring — execute circulation checks and adjust mud consistency within standard parameters to support uninterrupted drilling.Drilling records database — enter footage, strata descriptions, materials, tools, and service data accurately using field software after each shift.Rig machinery and auxiliary equipment — perform scheduled maintenance tasks and minor adjustments to reduce downtime on an active drilling site.Crew coordination — communicate task assignments and sequencing clearly to fellow crew members during standard drilling and tripping operations.Equipment anomalies — apply basic troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve common mechanical issues before escalating to a senior operator.Drilling fluid properties — read and interpret field measurements and adapt pump settings within established guidelines to sustain borehole integrity.
proficient
Full rotary drill operation — control all throttles, levers, and draw works autonomously across routine and non-routine drilling scenarios on oil and gas well sites.Borehole pressure management — analyze pressure gauge trends and make real-time adjustments to prevent well control incidents during complex drilling intervals.Strata and formation records — document penetrated materials, borehole conditions, and equipment performance comprehensively in compliance with regulatory requirements.Slush pump systems — diagnose circulation problems, adjust fluid weight and viscosity, and restore normal mud flow independently during active drilling operations.Drill string assembly and tripping — supervise and perform efficient connection, disconnection, and handling of drill pipe and casing in varied well configurations.Machinery maintenance and repair — conduct detailed inspections, calibrate components, and execute corrective repairs to sustain rig performance across extended campaigns.Non-routine mechanical failures — apply systematic troubleshooting methods to isolate root causes and restore equipment function with minimal operational delay.Crew performance and safety compliance — evaluate team adherence to drilling procedures and intervene decisively when unsafe conditions are identified on site.Operational data analysis — review footage, time, and resource consumption records to identify inefficiencies and recommend procedural improvements to supervisors.Cross-functional communication — coordinate with engineers, geologists, and service company personnel to align drilling parameters with well plan objectives.
advanced
Crew training programs — design and deliver structured on-site instruction covering safe drilling practices, equipment operation, and emergency response for new and experienced operators.Rig safety culture — establish and enforce safety standards, introduce improved procedures, and model cautiousness to reduce incident rates across all crew shifts.Drilling performance strategy — set operational targets for rate of penetration, bit selection, and mud programs, and guide crews to meet those benchmarks on complex well projects.Multi-well records and compliance reporting — oversee maintenance of all drilling logs, footage reports, and regulatory documentation to organizational and government standards.Equipment maintenance planning — develop preventive maintenance schedules, manage spare-parts inventories, and lead major overhaul decisions to maximize rig uptime.Workforce development — mentor developing and proficient operators, assess individual skill gaps, and create growth pathways aligned with organizational staffing needs.Operational risk assessment — lead pre-job hazard analyses, apply critical thinking to evaluate well control risks, and authorize procedural deviations when conditions warrant.Technology integration — evaluate and champion adoption of industrial control software, ERP systems, and analytical tools to improve rig monitoring and reporting efficiency.Cross-departmental leadership — represent field operations in planning meetings with engineering, HSE, and management teams to align drilling execution with project goals.Organizational knowledge transfer — codify best practices, lessons learned, and procedural improvements into written standards used by crews across multiple rig operations.
Also known as
40 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Blast DrillerCable DrillerCable Tool DrillerCable Tool OperatorClean Out DrillerCore Drill OperatorCore DrillerDaylight DrillerDerrickhandDirectional Drill OperatorDirectional DrillerDrill HandDrill OperatorDrillerDrilling Field OperatorDrilling Field ProfessionalDrilling Machine OperatorDrilling Rig OperatorEquipment OperatorFloorhandFracturing Rotary Drill OperatorGeotechnical DrillerLocatorMotor ManNatural Gas Shothole DrillerOil and Gas Operations Management ProfessionalOil DrillerOil Rig DrillerOil Well Cable Tool DrillerOil Well Cable Tool OperatorOil Well DrillerProspecting DrillerRelief DrillerRotary DrillerRotary Rig Engine OperatorShot Hole DrillerSonic DrillerSpud DrillerTool PusherWell Driller