Occupation · SOC 47-5023
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.
Median wage
$59,600
$44,450–$87,760
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
17,410
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
30 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceCritical ThinkingMonitoringTroubleshootingSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisEquipment SelectionCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningTime ManagementRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionInstructingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessWritingService OrientationPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesSystems AnalysisNegotiationMathematicsLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesInstallationManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceProgramming
Knowledge areas
MechanicalAdministration and ManagementTransportationPublic Safety and SecurityDesignMathematicsProduction and ProcessingLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingAdministrativePhysicsGeographyPsychologyChemistryTelecommunicationsBuilding and ConstructionBiologyMedicine and DentistryEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesSales and MarketingComputers and ElectronicsTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguagePhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Global positioning system GPS softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Word
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAssisting and Caring for OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsSelling or Influencing OthersProcessing InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentAnalyzing Data or InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesWorking with Computers
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Drill controls and stabilization levers — identify and operate under direct supervision to position and align a drill rig on a standard construction site.Drilling speed and casing insertion — start and stop the machine following step-by-step instructions from a lead driller on a routine boring job.Air pressure and rotary speed gauges — read and report readings to a supervisor when drilling through common rock or concrete formations.Drill bits and drill rods — select and attach correct components under guidance, adding rods as hole depth increases on a supervised crew.Truck-mounted drilling equipment — assist in driving, leveling, and stabilizing the rig under direct crew supervision at a job site.Earth cuttings and borehole dust — operate flushing and blowout equipment following standard procedures to keep holes clear during drilling.Boring depth and alignment measurements — verify and record hole depths and positions using basic measuring tools under a lead driller's oversight.Routine lubrication and minor part replacement — perform basic maintenance tasks on drilling machinery following a written checklist at the end of a shift.Personal protective equipment and site hazard signs — recognize and follow safety protocols to protect oneself and co-workers on a drilling site.Verbal instructions and crew communications — listen actively and confirm understanding of task assignments during pre-shift briefings on a drilling crew.
developing
Rig stabilization controls and telescoping derricks — extend and lock components independently to level and align equipment on varied terrain without constant supervision.Drilling speed and downward pressure settings — regulate and adjust parameters for different rock or concrete types based on observed bit performance during routine jobs.Drill bit condition and rod inventory — evaluate wear and exchange bits or add rods as needed to maintain efficient hole progression on a mid-size boring project.Air pressure and rotary speed calibration — adjust settings in real time to match soil and rock transitions encountered on a typical excavation assignment.Borehole depth and alignment verification — confirm positions using measuring instruments and log results accurately in field records for quality assurance purposes.Routine machine maintenance and drill bit build-up — perform scheduled upkeep, including bit restoration and lubrication, on a two- to three-machine crew without a supervisor present.Equipment fault symptoms — monitor machine sounds, vibrations, and instrument readings to identify early signs of mechanical problems during an active drilling shift.Flushing and dust-control systems — operate and troubleshoot cuttings removal equipment to maintain clean boreholes across multiple hole types and soil conditions.Job site coordination — communicate schedule changes and equipment status to crew members and a foreman to keep a multi-rig project on pace.Spreadsheet and word processing software — record daily production data and equipment logs using standard office suite tools for project documentation purposes.
proficient
Full rig positioning and alignment sequence — execute all stabilization, leveling, and derrick extension steps autonomously across varied and challenging site conditions.Complex drilling parameter management — regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and penetration rate simultaneously while adapting to unpredictable subsurface formations on a large-scale project.Drill bit and rod selection for non-standard formations — choose and configure appropriate tooling for hard rock, fractured strata, or reinforced concrete without supervisor input.Machine performance diagnosis and troubleshooting — isolate mechanical root causes and implement corrective action on-site to minimize downtime on critical boring operations.Preventive and corrective maintenance plans — build up and restore drill bits, replace high-wear components, and schedule lubrication cycles to extend equipment service life.Borehole quality verification — assess depth, alignment, and casing integrity against project specifications and flag deviations before they affect downstream construction activities.Multi-hazard site safety management — apply public safety and equipment-specific protocols to protect the crew and public during drilling near utilities or in confined areas.Critical problem solving for unexpected subsurface conditions — evaluate drilling resistance, cuttings characteristics, and rig feedback to adjust methods in real time on a complex boring contract.Mobile location-based services software — use GPS and positioning tools to confirm borehole coordinates and update site layout records during a precision drilling assignment.Cross-trade coordination — collaborate with engineers, surveyors, and other trades to align drilling schedules and specifications with overall project milestones.
advanced
Drilling program strategy and rig deployment planning — design equipment selection criteria, hole sequencing, and crew assignments to optimize production across a multi-site contract portfolio.Crew training and skills development — mentor entry-level and developing drillers in machine operation, safety procedures, and quality standards to build a high-performance field team.Fleet maintenance standards and upgrade programs — establish preventive maintenance schedules, approve major equipment rebuilds, and evaluate new tooling technologies for organizational adoption.Organizational safety culture and regulatory compliance — set site safety policies, conduct audits, and ensure all drilling operations meet OSHA and public safety requirements across all company projects.Complex problem resolution at organizational scale — lead the diagnosis and correction of systemic equipment failures or recurring drilling quality issues affecting multiple active projects.Performance metrics and quality control systems — design and implement production monitoring, depth-accuracy tracking, and quality control analysis frameworks used across the company's drilling operations.Budget and resource management for drilling operations — forecast equipment, labor, and consumable costs, and control expenditures to deliver projects within approved financial parameters.Client and stakeholder communication — represent the organization in technical discussions with engineers, project owners, and regulators to define scope, address concerns, and secure future work.Equipment selection and procurement decisions — evaluate and recommend new drilling rigs, bits, and support technologies based on operational data and emerging industry standards.Knowledge management and best-practice documentation — author and maintain standard operating procedures, training materials, and field guides that codify organizational expertise for the drilling workforce.
Also known as
64 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Auger OperatorBlast DrillerBlast Hole DrillerBoring Machine OperatorChurn Drill OperatorChurn DrillerConstruction DrillerConstruction Well Drill OperatorCore DrillerDebris MonitorDeep Well ContractorDiamond DrillerDirectional Drill OperatorDirectional DrillerDrill HandDrill OperatorDrill Rig OperatorDrill RunnerDrill TechnicianDrillerDrilling AssistantDrilling Machine OperatorDrilling Machine RunnerEarth Auger OperatorEarth Boring Machine OperatorElectric Drill OperatorEnvironmental DrillerEnvironmental SamplerFoundation Drill OperatorGeotechnical Operating EngineerGeothermal and Well Drilling OperatorGeothermal Operating EngineerGround Water ContractorHard Rock Drill OperatorHighwall Drill OperatorHole Digger OperatorHorizontal Directional Drill OperatorHorizontal Drill OperatorHorizontal Earth Boring Machine OperatorHorizontal Machinist