What Do Rotary Drill Operator Do?
Drill Operator Job 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.
List of Drill Operator Job Duties
- Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
- Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
- Lower and explode charges in boreholes to start flow of oil from 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.
- Bolt together pump and engine parts, and connect tanks and flow lines.
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Qualities of a Drill Operator
Below is a list of the skills most Rotary Drill Operators say are important on the job.
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.
Other Drill Operator Job Titles
- Oil Well Driller
- Drill Operator
- Drilling Field Professional
- Directional Driller
- Rotary Driller
Job Demand for Rotary Drill Operators
There were about 16,700 jobs for Rotary Drill Operator in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 2,600 positions for Drill Operator per 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.
Drill Operator Salary
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Rotary Drill Operators 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?
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?
What kind of Rotary Drill Operator requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Drill Operator?
Rotary Drill Operators Sector
Below are examples of industries where Rotary Drill Operators work:
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References:
Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
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