Driller / Drill Operator
Quick Facts
Median Salary$61,044
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+25.19%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Driller or Drill Operator operates machines used to drill in quarries, mines, or construction sites.
Core Tasks:
- 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.
- Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
- Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.
- Repair or replace defective parts of machinery, such as rotary drill rigs, water trucks, air compressors, and pumps, using hand tools.
- Clean and oil pulleys, blocks, and cables.
- Bolt together pump and engine parts, and connect tanks and flow lines.
- Remove core samples during drilling to determine the nature of the strata being drilled.
What to expect as a Driller / Drill Operator
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
37% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Driller / Drill Operator related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
1148 openings for Drillers / Drill Operators
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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