Earth Drillers set up and operate drilling or boring machines or rigs to drill wells or holes in soil and rock. They drill for water, samples of soil or rock, or as a part of mining or construction operations.

JOB DUTIES 

Earth Drillers may:

Move levers and pedals to raise and lower pipe  

Connect hose from a water pump to a swivel head to pump water through the center of a rotary drill pipe to cool the drill bit  

Observe operations to detect binding or stoppage of the drill bit  

Replace worn or broken drill bits  

Raise the drill stem to discharge dirt in the bit  

Fabricate well casings

Verify the depth of the drilled hole  

Select drill bits  

Couple additional lengths of drill rod as the bit advances into the hole  

Control the speed and advancement of the drill bit  

Repair mobile drilling equipment  

Review requirements, proposed drilling locations and provide cost estimates to clients

Use controls to stabilize, positions and align machines and drills

Earth Drillers who operate portable earth drilling equipment may: 

Operate a mobile earth drilling machine  

Extend stabilizing jack-screws to support and level the drill machine  

Bolt trusses to the drilling equipment  

Repair mobile drilling equipment  

Cut or weld a well casing  

To see a video on Earth Drillers, click  here

The tools and equipment used may include: 

                      OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Earth Drillers may specialize in these areas: 

859.362-010 WELL-DRILL OPERATORS set up and operate drilling machines and related equipment to drill water wells.  

930.682-010 CORE-DRILL OPERATORS set up and operate mobile drilling machines to obtain solid core samples of rock and earth for analysis and for use in determining the location and extent of oil, gas, or mineral deposits.  

930.382-010 MACHINE DRILLERS set up and operate self-propelled or truck-mounted drilling machines to bore blasting holes at a strip mine, open pit, or quarry.  

859.682-014 FOUNDATION-DRILL OPERATORS operate a drilling unit mounted on either a truck or crawler track to drill holes for concrete piers and footing foundations.  

850.662-010 HORIZONTAL-EARTH-BORING-MACHINE OPERATORS set up and operate boring machines to drill horizontal holes through earth banks for installation of pipelines under highways, railroads, canals, and other obstructions.  

859.682-010 EARTH-BORING-MACHINE OPERATORS use a drill attached to a truck or tractor to dig holes for poles or posts.  

850.683-034 ROCK-DRILL OPERATORS drive and operate tractor-mounted drilling machines to drill holes in hard materials into which explosives will be placed to blast the material loose.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Earth Drillers generally supervise a crew of helpers on a drilling rig. Most Earth Drillers work outdoors in all kinds of types of weather during all seasons of the year. They must be also ready to meet a variety of emergencies or accidents when handling heavy mechanical equipment. Earth Drillers who work in mines must also be aware of special problems involved in mining work. They may work in or around mud, oil, and water. Drillers working in mines must follow special safety precautions.  

The normal workweek is a 5-day, 40-hour week. However, they may change to meet job schedules or commitments. Earth Drillers in the construction industry work less during the winter months as drilling for water wells for construction projects often slows down during this time. Earth Drillers who work in mining also work afternoon or evening shifts.  

Earth Drillers usually travel from one job site to another within their local area. Drillers may work overtime to meet deadlines. Those who are self-employed work as business demands.  

Some Earth Drillers may have to provide their own hand tools and safety equipment such as shoes, hard hats, gloves, and glasses. Those who are self-employed must provide all their own equipment.  

Some Earth Drillers are members of The United Steelworkers of America. Those who belong to unions must pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Working outdoors

• Working with machines and tools

• Doing routine, organized work

You Should Be Able To:

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• See differences in shapes/widths/lengths of lines to detect worn parts

• Make decisions based on accurate measurements

• Make decisions based on your own judgment

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve: 

If a drill has moved down 10 feet in 15 minutes, what is the drill's rate downward?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend: 

With few exceptions, rocks are naturally formed aggregates of one or more minerals. They ordinarily lack a definite chemical composition and given properties.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce: 

You should be able to write a report explaining to your supervisor any malfunctions that may have occurred with the drill.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate: 

You should be able to decide the best way to correct any problem that may arise with the drilling machine.  

 The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click  here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Well Drilling Contractor for specific licensing information.  

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School diploma or equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY 

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS*** 

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS*** 

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.   

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program     

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES*** 

Although this occupation has apprenticeship programs available in Michigan, they are limited in number. See the Sources of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check Military website at http://www.myfuture.com.  

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS  

Each year the military completes hundreds of construction projects. Tons of earth and building materials must be moved to build airfields, roads, dams, and buildings. Construction equipment operators use bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy equipment in military construction.

What They Do  

Construction equipment operators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Drive bulldozers, road graders, and other heavy equipment to cut and level earth for runways and roadbeds

• Lift and move steel and other heavy building materials using winches, cranes, and hoists

• Dig holes and trenches using power shovels

• Remove ice and snow from runways, roads, and other areas using scrapers and snow blowers

• Operate mixing plants to make concrete and asphalt

• Spread asphalt and concrete with paving machines

• Drill wells using drilling rigs

• Place and detonate explosives

Helpful Attributes  

Helpful school subjects include shop mechanics. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in operating heavy construction equipment

• Preference for working outdoors

Training Provided  

Job training consists of 4 to 12 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice operating construction equipment. Course content typically includes:

• Operation of different types of construction equipment

• Maintenance and repair of equipment

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army and the Navy offer certified apprenticeship programs for one specialty in this occupation. 

Physical Demands  

Some specialties require normal hearing, color vision, and heavy lifting.  

Work Environment  

Construction equipment operators work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. They often sit for long periods and are subjects to loud noise and vibrations. They may work indoors while repairing equipment.  

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian construction equipment operators work for building contractors, state highway agencies, rock quarries, well drillers, and construction firms. Civilian construction equipment operators may also be known as operating engineers, heavy equipment operators, well drillers, or riggers.  

     E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Individuals who are at least 18 years old may find part-time or full-time summer employment as Earth Driller helpers in construction. Experience is also available in the military service.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:  

   informal apprenticeships

   mentorships

   job shadowing experiences

   touring a local Earth Driller employer

   internships

   volunteer work with a Earth Driller employer

   community service work with an agency  

The most common method of entering this occupation is by direct application to an employer and completion of an on-the-job training program. Assistance in locating a job may be obtained from the National Water Well Association, the American Petroleum Institute, or a Michigan Works!  local office.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings vary according to the industry, employer, extent of unionization, and geographic area. Wages are generally paid by the hour, although some small employers may pay employees by the job. Earth Drillers who work in the mining industry generally work steadily all year round. However, overall earnings of Drillers employed in the construction industry may be affected by slowdowns during the winter.  

Nationally, in 2008, the median weekly earnings for construction drillers were $749 or about $18.73 per hour.  The median weekly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $722 in 2008.

Hourly wage rates, including fringe benefits, for unionized Earth Drillers in several areas of Michigan were (early 2009):  

Depending on geographic location, Earth Drillers operating wagon drills and core drills for road, bridge, and airport construction earned between $37.23 and $37.38 per hour, including benefits, in 2008.  

Depending on the employer, most Earth Drillers receive paid vacations and holidays; and life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance. Some receive retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. In some cases, employees and employers may jointly contribute to a union trust fund used to pay for certain benefits.  

Well Drillers may advance to well drilling contractor. Advancement usually depends on work experience, ability, and the desire to operate and own a well drilling business.  

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, approximately 21,700 Earth Drillers were employed in 2006. Employment is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016.  About 10.8% of them were self-employed.  The industry distribution for Earth Drillers looked like this:   

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

National energy policy could affect production in certain parts of the mining industry such as coal and copper mining. Resulting levels of production and types of new mines opened could favorably affect future demand for Earth Drillers in the mining industry. The shift from city living to country living should result in increased employment opportunities for Water Well Drillers.  

There are about 675 Earth Drillers employed in Michigan. In 2008, there were 893 licensed Well Drilling contractors in Michigan.  

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016.  An average of 25 annual openings is expected, with 20due to growth and 5 to replace those who will retire, die, leave the labor force, or change jobs or occupations. In recent years, the Detroit Metropolitan Water Department has begun servicing many cities and towns in Southeast Michigan. Consequently, reliance on well water has declined. There are, however, wells being drilled now for environmental testing. Slowdowns in construction and metal mining, particularly in copper mining, which occur during recessions, will restrict growth and affect employment of Earth Drillers in Michigan during these periods.  

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 201 6

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

  Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth