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Construction47-5012.00Specialization

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

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.

$61,770
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
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AI-Augmented
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This is a specialization of

Extraction Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 4/6: low AI task exposure means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟡AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

5% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

0% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 13/25

Total Score4/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
  • 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.
  • Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
  • 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.
  • Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
  • Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
  • Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
  • Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
  • Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
  • Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Less than high school

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Drilling control systemsMicrosoft OfficeData logging softwareSafety monitoringMaintenance management

Key Abilities

Problem SensitivityControl PrecisionNear VisionArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityMultilimb CoordinationOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionInformation OrderingFinger Dexterity

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Find jobs and training programs for rotary drill operators, oil and gas- Median salary: $62K/year

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Compensation Details

$40,290
10th Percentile
$61,770
Median
$89,810
90th Percentile

Based on 12,180 employed workers

Also Known As

Blast DrillerCable DrillerCable Tool DrillerCable Tool OperatorClean Out DrillerCore Drill OperatorCore DrillerDaylight DrillerDerrickhandDirectional Drill Operator

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 47-5012.00