What is a Rotary 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.
Drill Operator Responsibilities
- Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
- Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
- Position and prepare truck-mounted derricks at drilling areas specified on field maps.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.
- 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.
- Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.
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Drill Operator Needed Skills
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Oil Well Cable Tool Driller
- Core Driller
- Cable Driller
- Oil Driller
- Clean Out 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,600 job openings in this field each 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.
Do Rotary Drill Operators Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Rotary Drill Operators ranges between about $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 & Technology 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
Becoming a Drill Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become a Rotary Drill Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Drill Operator?
Where Rotary Drill Operators Work
Below are examples of industries where Rotary Drill Operators work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Rotary Drill Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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