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.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC: 47-5012 O*NET: 47-5012.00
Median Salary
$65,010
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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 does a Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,750
10th percentile
Early Career
$52,600
25th percentile
Median
$65,010
50th percentile
Experienced
$81,550
75th percentile
Top Earners
$98,510
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,750
25th
$52,600
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$65,010
Mean: $70,080
75th
$81,550
90th
$98,510
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $55,760 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $52,600 and $81,550
- •Salary spread is 44.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 13,090 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:13,300
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction93.4%
Support Activities for Mining75.3%
Support Activities for Mining75.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.2%
Annual Openings:1,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)13,300
Current
2034 (Projected)13,400
+0.2%
0
Employment Change
+0.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 25 locations
Texas
5,940 jobs$66,4305.06x
Oklahoma
1,570 jobs$65,08010.96x
Louisiana
1,140 jobs$60,9307.04x
New Mexico
650 jobs$85,5408.86x
Pennsylvania
440 jobs$62,3500.86x
California
410 jobs$99,4700.27x
North Dakota
280 jobs$69,5607.70x
West Virginia
260 jobs$58,0404.41x
Wyoming
230 jobs$56,6009.92x
Colorado
200 jobs$76,2900.82x
Utah
200 jobs$68,6601.34x
Mississippi
190 jobs$62,4101.88x
Alaska
170 jobs$86,7506.30x
Ohio
160 jobs$61,3800.35x
Kansas
160 jobs$58,5801.32x
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
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Instructing
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Speaking
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Instructing
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Speaking
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:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters82%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals82%
5 shared skills
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters82%
5 shared skills
Riggers82%
5 shared skills
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Coordination
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★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 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Salesforce software
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechPython
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Salesforce software
SAP software
Python
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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (1)General Responsibilities (14)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •35% 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 Rotary Drill Operators, 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?
Rotary Drill Operators, 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 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.49
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.37
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.30
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.11
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.08
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Leadership
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Integrity
4.0
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Self-Control
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
💡 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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