Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Daylight Driller
- Drill Operator
- Driller
- Tool Pusher
Alternate Job Titles
- Blast Driller
- Cable Driller
- Cable Tool Driller
- Cable Tool Operator
- Clean Out Driller
- Core Drill Operator
- Core Driller
- Daylight Driller
- Derrickhand
- Directional Drill Operator
- Directional Driller
- Drill Hand
- Drill Operator
- Driller
- Drilling Field Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Information Ordering
- Finger Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
- Python
- Salesforce software
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Accumulator systems
- Adapter spools
- Air hoists
- Cement pumping equipment
- Chain driven draw works
- Choke manifolds
- Claw hammers
- Double studded adapters
- Downhole fishing tools
- Drill casings
- Drill pipe tongs
- Drilling chokes
- Drilling collars
- Drilling crosses
- Drilling draw works
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $42,750 |
| Median | $65,010 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $98,510 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 13,090
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,600
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,400
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $57,980
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $47,510
Wellhead Pumpers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $70,010
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.