All About Rotary Drill Operators
Drill Operator Definition 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.
A Day in the Life of a Drill Operator
- Line drilled holes with pipes, and install all necessary hardware, to prepare new wells.
- Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
- Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
- Clean and oil pulleys, blocks, and cables.
- 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.
- Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
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Skills Needed to be a Drill Operator
These are the skills Rotary Drill Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
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 Drill Operator Jobs
- Drilling Machine Operator
- Well Driller
- Oil and Gas Superintendent
- Drill Foreman
- Rotary Drill Operator
Job Outlook for Rotary Drill Operators
In the United States, there were 16,700 jobs for Rotary Drill Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 24.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,100 new jobs for Rotary Drill Operator 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 Drill Operator are Wyoming, North Dakota, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, Nebraska, or Indiana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Drill Operator
Rotary Drill Operators make between $32,110 and $87,790 a year.
Rotary Drill Operators who work in Alaska, Indiana, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Rotary Drill Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,450 |
| Alaska | $74,290 |
| Arizona | $48,650 |
| Arkansas | $43,870 |
| California | $66,630 |
| Colorado | $55,870 |
| Florida | $47,130 |
| Georgia | $34,310 |
| Illinois | $45,100 |
| Indiana | $67,000 |
| Kansas | $44,920 |
| Louisiana | $52,520 |
| Maryland | $56,540 |
| Michigan | $41,080 |
| New Mexico | $44,540 |
| New York | $53,120 |
| North Dakota | $66,440 |
| Ohio | $45,210 |
| Oklahoma | $57,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,040 |
| Texas | $56,490 |
| Utah | $56,700 |
| Virginia | $52,530 |
| West Virginia | $55,790 |
| Wyoming | $61,510 |
What Tools & Technology do Rotary Drill Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Rotary Drill Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
How do I Become a Drill Operator?
Are there Rotary Drill Operators education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Drill Operator?
Rotary Drill Operators Sector
Rotary Drill Operators work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Rotary Drill Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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