What Does it Take to Be a Rotary Drill Operator?

Position Description 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.

Daily Life Of a Drill Operator

• Clean and oil pulleys, blocks, and cables.
• 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.
• Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
• Position and prepare truck-mounted derricks at drilling areas specified on field maps.
• Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Drill Operator?

Below is a list of the skills most Rotary Drill Operators say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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.

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.

Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

Other Drill Operator Job Titles

• Core Driller
• Oil and Gas Operations Management Professional
• Shot Hole Driller
• Blast Driller
• Tool Pusher

Is There Going to be Demand for Rotary Drill Operators?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 16,700 jobs in the United States for Rotary Drill Operator. 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. The BLS estimates 2,600 yearly job openings in this field.

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.

Do Rotary Drill Operators Make A Lot Of Money?

The average yearly salary of a Drill Operator ranges between $32,110 and $87,790.

Rotary Drill Operators who work in Alaska, Indiana, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.

How much do Rotary Drill Operators make in different U.S. states?

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 do Rotary Drill Operators Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Rotary Drill Operators may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word

Becoming a Drill Operator

What education or degrees do I need to become a Rotary Drill Operator?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Rotary Drill Operators Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Rotary Drill Operators work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Rotary Drill Operator may also be interested in:

• Boilermakers

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.