Occupations/47-5023.00
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.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
35%
More resilient
Human characteristics
49%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
46%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
- Mostly routine
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
- Task
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
- 02Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- 03Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
- 04Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
- 05Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
- 06Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.64
- Degree of automation1.87
- Time sitting2.13
- Originality (ability)2.38
- Conflict situations2.23
- Hands-on objects/tools4.67
- Outdoors / weather4.36
- Disease exposure1.30
- Decision freedom4.51
Top abilities
- Control Precision4.00
- Reaction Time3.88
- Multilimb Coordination3.88
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.88
- Manual Dexterity3.75
- Depth Perception3.62
- Rate Control3.50
- Near Vision3.50
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension2.75
- Active Listening3.00
- Writing2.38
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.25
- Science1.62
- Critical Thinking3.25
- Active Learning2.75
- Learning Strategies2.25
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
8 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN · Public | Well Drilling/Driller 46.0504 | $6,200 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Well Drilling/Driller 46.0504 | $6,200 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Ridgewater College Willmar, MN · Public | Well Drilling/Driller 46.0504 | $6,100 | 100% | 36% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN · Public | Well Drilling/Driller 46.0504 | $6,000 | 100% | 37% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Miami Dade College Miami, FL · Public | Well Drilling/Driller 46.0504 | $2,900 | 100% | 41% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 46.05 |
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public | Well Drilling/Driller 46.0504 | $6,300 | 100% | 48% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |