Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC Code: 47-5012
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gass train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 78.1/100, this role has high resilience to automation. Key skills include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Operation and Control.
AI-Proof Score: 78.1 — High
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Median Salary
$65,010
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Job Growth
0.2%
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Training Time
Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)
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Job Zone
Zone 2 / 5
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Training Cost
~$5,000
Key Skills
- •Operations Monitoring
- •Operation and Control
- •Critical Thinking
- •Monitoring
- •Time Management
- •Coordination
- •Active Listening
- •Instructing
Common 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.
Training & Resources
Why AI-Proof?
- ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
- ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
- ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
- ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation