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Life As an Earth Driller
Occupation Description Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap sub-surface 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. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
Life As an Earth Driller
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
- Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.
- Signal crane operators to move equipment.
- Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
- Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
- Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
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What an Earth Driller Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Earth Drillers say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Other Earth Driller Job Titles
- Construction Driller
- Highwall Drill Operator
- Earth Boring Machine Operator
- Environmental Driller
- Tunneling Machine Operator
Job Outlook for Earth Drillers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 19,600 jobs in the United States for Earth Driller. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,900 new jobs for Earth Driller by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Earth Driller are Connecticut, Wyoming, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Maryland, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Earth Driller Make?
Earth Drillers make between $30,810 and $69,940 a year.
Earth Drillers who work in Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Earth Drillers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $38,550 |
| Alaska | $58,210 |
| Arizona | $51,990 |
| Arkansas | $54,510 |
| California | $56,080 |
| Colorado | $51,070 |
| Connecticut | $46,100 |
| Delaware | $52,960 |
| Florida | $39,360 |
| Georgia | $34,820 |
| Idaho | $56,760 |
| Illinois | $47,840 |
| Indiana | $46,750 |
| Iowa | $43,920 |
| Kansas | $52,580 |
| Kentucky | $42,670 |
| Louisiana | $47,370 |
| Maine | $40,550 |
| Maryland | $45,170 |
| Massachusetts | $61,640 |
| Michigan | $39,890 |
| Minnesota | $49,270 |
| Mississippi | $39,590 |
| Missouri | $48,560 |
| Montana | $51,670 |
| Nebraska | $41,740 |
| Nevada | $57,910 |
| New Hampshire | $53,250 |
| New Jersey | $60,610 |
| New Mexico | $48,930 |
| New York | $66,980 |
| North Carolina | $45,160 |
| North Dakota | $49,090 |
| Ohio | $44,820 |
| Oklahoma | $46,130 |
| Oregon | $55,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,770 |
| South Carolina | $46,110 |
| South Dakota | $44,870 |
| Tennessee | $41,830 |
| Texas | $39,360 |
| Utah | $46,170 |
| Vermont | $59,620 |
| Virginia | $46,070 |
| Washington | $54,370 |
| West Virginia | $37,100 |
| Wisconsin | $47,490 |
| Wyoming | $49,830 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Earth Drillers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Earth Drillers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Global positioning system GPS software
How do I Become an Earth Driller?
Are there Earth Drillers education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Earth Drillers Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Earth Drillers employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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