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.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
SOC: 47-5023 O*NET: 47-5023.00
Median Salary
$59,600
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.9%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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 does a Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$44,450
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,720
25th percentile
Median
$59,600
50th percentile
Experienced
$73,530
75th percentile
Top Earners
$87,760
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$44,450
25th
$49,720
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$59,600
Mean: $63,260
75th
$73,530
90th
$87,760
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $43,310 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,720 and $73,530
- •Salary spread is 39.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 17,410 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:18,300
Top Industries
Construction67.4%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction47.6%
Utility System Construction45%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.9%
Annual Openings:1,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)18,300
Current
2034 (Projected)18,800
+2.9%
+500
Employment Change
+2.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
1,400 jobs$62,2800.69x
Texas
1,230 jobs$53,8500.79x
Florida
1,150 jobs$52,7201.03x
Pennsylvania
820 jobs$57,7701.20x
Michigan
780 jobs$57,9301.56x
Arizona
680 jobs$61,6401.88x
Nevada
670 jobs$70,3403.87x
Idaho
660 jobs$50,3306.88x
New York
580 jobs$74,1500.54x
Georgia
530 jobs$53,7800.97x
Utah
500 jobs$57,8502.59x
Tennessee
470 jobs$50,1601.26x
Missouri
440 jobs$50,0701.32x
Virginia
430 jobs$61,2900.93x
Illinois
410 jobs$79,8600.60x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Equipment Maintenance
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Equipment Selection
54%
#9
Quality Control Analysis
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Equipment Selection
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Equipment Selection
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Boilermakers67%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Extraction Workers67%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers67%
5 shared skills
Machinists67%
5 shared skills
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics67%
5 shared skills
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Selection
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Operations & Execution (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Planning & Development (1)
1
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.37
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.34
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.00
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.87
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.81
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.77
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Initiative
3.8
Independence
3.8
Self-Control
3.7
Concern for Others
3.7
Persistence
3.7
Innovation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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