Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

What You Need to Know About Rotary Drill Operator

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.

• Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
• Lower and explode charges in boreholes to start flow of oil from wells.
• Clean and oil pulleys, blocks, and cables.
• Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
• 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.

• Oil Well Cable Tool Driller
• Rotary Drill Operator

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 16,700 jobs in the United States for Rotary Drill Operator. 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.

The typical yearly salary for Rotary Drill Operators is somewhere between $32,110 and $87,790.

Rotary Drill Operators who work in Alaska, Indiana, or North Dakota
, make the highest salaries.

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Rotary Drill Operators:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word

Are there Rotary Drill Operators education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

The industries where those employed in this career field work include mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, and related support activities.

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