Occupational Employment Statistics
47-5023 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
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.
Minnesota
| 330 | 69 | $30.98/hr | $23.33/hr | $28.23/hr | $29.79/hr | $35.18/hr | $39.92/hr |
Natural Resources and Mining | N/A | N/A |
Construction | 190 | $33.84/hr |
Manufacturing | N/A | N/A |
Professional and Business Services | 90 | $28.59/hr |
Public Administration | N/A | N/A |
- Design well pumping systems.
- Record drilling progress and geological data.
- Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
- Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
- Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
- Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
- Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
- Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
- Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.
- Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.