What Do Earth Driller Do?
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
- Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
- Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
- Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
- Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
- Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
- Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
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What Every Earth Driller Should Know
These are the skills Earth Drillers say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Types of Earth Driller
- Well Drill Operator
- Horizontal Earth Boring Machine Operator
- Shot Core Drill Operator
- Earth Boring Machine Operator
- Drill Technician
Earth Driller Job Outlook
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,600 job openings in this field each year.

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.
Average Earth Drillers Salary
The salary for Earth Drillers ranges between about $30,810 and $69,940 a year.

Earth Drillers who work in Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Earth Drillers in different U.S. states.
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Earth Drillers Use?
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 to Become an Earth Driller
What education or degrees do I need to become an Earth Driller?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Earth Driller?

Earth Drillers Sector

Below are examples of industries where Earth Drillers work:

References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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