Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in Washington
Want to work as an Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in Washington? Here’s what the data says. Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface 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. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
What do Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas Make in Washington?
For earth drillers, except oil and gas working in Washington, the typical annual salary is $74,570 per year (or roughly $35.85/hour).Pay can range from $51,620 at the 10th percentile to $99,960 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| 25th percentile | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Median (50th) | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| 75th percentile | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| 90th percentile | $99,960 | $48.06 |
The job concentration index in Washington relative to the national average — is 0.71, suggesting fewer earth drillers, except oil and gas per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, earth drillers, except oil and gas earn a median of $53,437 per year ($25.69/hour), higher than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 365,705 earth drillers, except oil and gas across the United States. In Washington alone, around 280 people work in this role. That’s in line with the typical state median of 280.
Top Washington Metros for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
The metro areas below employ the most earth drillers, except oil and gas in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 120 | $79,050 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 40 | $67,780 |
Top States for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas Employment
The table below shows the states where the most earth drillers, except oil and gas work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 1,400 |
| Texas | 1,230 |
| Florida | 1,150 |
| Pennsylvania | 820 |
| Michigan | 780 |
| Arizona | 680 |
| Nevada | 670 |
| Idaho | 660 |
| New York | 580 |
| Georgia | 530 |
| Utah | 500 |
| Tennessee | 470 |
| Missouri | 440 |
| Virginia | 430 |
| Illinois | 410 |
| Ohio | 400 |
| Louisiana | 400 |
| New Jersey | 390 |
| North Carolina | 390 |
| Indiana | 380 |
Highest-Paying States for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
These states pay the most for earth drillers, except oil and gas.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $80,780 |
| Illinois | $79,860 |
| New Jersey | $78,340 |
| Alaska | $76,080 |
| Washington | $74,570 |
| New York | $74,150 |
| Nevada | $70,340 |
| Delaware | $68,070 |
| Wisconsin | $67,030 |
| Colorado | $66,500 |
Skills
The most important earth drillers, except oil and gas skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for earth drillers, except oil and gas, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
- Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
- Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
- Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
- Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
- Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
- Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
- Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
- Document geological formations encountered during work.
- Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
- Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
Work Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Ground Transportation
- Plumbing & Water Supply
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to earth drillers, except oil and gas include:
- Construction Laborers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Pile Driver Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Also Known As
Auger Operator, Blast Driller, Blast Hole Driller, Boring Machine Operator, Churn Drill Operator, Churn Driller, Construction Driller, Construction Well Drill Operator, Core Driller, Debris Monitor, Deep Well Contractor, Diamond Driller, Directional Drill Operator, Directional Driller, Drill Hand.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-5023.00