Earth Driller

Explore This Path

Ideal for those fascinated by geology and subsurface exploration.
Contribute to vital industries by extracting resources and aiding construction.
Operate advanced machinery to uncover Earth's hidden treasures.

💰 Earn $48K-$77K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 4% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

2,100 Annually

Median Earnings

$59,820 in California

$56,660 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Earth Driller? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@birdbrainb

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Thinking and problem solving
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Critical Thinking
Equipment Maintenance
Reading Comprehension
Repairing
Troubleshooting

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Job security

Deep Dive

Earth Driller

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years