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.
- O*NET-SOC code
47-5023.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$60,190
Employment, U.S.19,450
Median hourly wage$28.94
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44,460 | $49,900 | $60,190 | $72,450 | $83,800 |
By state (48)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 170 | $46,440 | 0.63 |
| Alaska | 290 | $80,040 | 7.15 |
| Arizona | 850 | $58,870 | 2.09 |
| Arkansas | 110 | $46,160 | 0.69 |
| California | 1,630 | $66,910 | 0.71 |
| Colorado | 280 | $64,820 | 0.79 |
| Connecticut | 140 | $65,710 | 0.65 |
| Delaware | $57,160 | ||
| Florida | 1,630 | $55,320 | 1.32 |
| Georgia | 870 | $50,030 | 1.42 |
| Idaho | 450 | $54,830 | 4.24 |
| Illinois | 330 | $79,080 | 0.44 |
| Indiana | 440 | $62,750 | 1.11 |
| Iowa | 190 | $54,000 | 0.96 |
| Kansas | 80 | $65,600 | 0.46 |
| Kentucky | 80 | $56,160 | 0.34 |
| Louisiana | 190 | $55,690 | 0.77 |
| Maine | 70 | $45,560 | 0.84 |
| Maryland | 120 | $61,260 | 0.34 |
| Massachusetts | 130 | $64,180 | 0.29 |
| Michigan | 850 | $62,570 | 1.55 |
| Minnesota | 340 | $63,790 | 0.93 |
| Mississippi | 250 | $60,680 | 1.72 |
| Missouri | 370 | $51,530 | 1.00 |
| Montana | 180 | $71,470 | 2.88 |
| Nebraska | 210 | $60,200 | 1.60 |
| Nevada | 1,350 | $61,030 | 6.95 |
| New Hampshire | 80 | $66,410 | 0.88 |
| New Jersey | 400 | $77,950 | 0.74 |
| New Mexico | 100 | $60,140 | 0.96 |
| New York | 670 | $60,860 | 0.56 |
| North Carolina | 290 | $57,300 | 0.47 |
| North Dakota | 110 | $62,570 | 2.09 |
| Ohio | 390 | $61,010 | 0.56 |
| Oklahoma | 250 | $54,180 | 1.17 |
| Oregon | 510 | $64,920 | 2.08 |
| Pennsylvania | 730 | $57,400 | 0.97 |
| South Carolina | 120 | $61,500 | 0.43 |
| South Dakota | 80 | $57,160 | 1.34 |
| Tennessee | 450 | $58,670 | 1.10 |
| Texas | 1,930 | $58,700 | 1.10 |
| Utah | 310 | $60,490 | 1.44 |
| Vermont | 70 | $61,420 | 1.81 |
| Virginia | 440 | $55,470 | 0.86 |
| Washington | 210 | $80,490 | 0.47 |
| West Virginia | 240 | $55,540 | 2.68 |
| Wisconsin | 280 | $68,320 | 0.77 |
| Wyoming | 90 | $64,450 | 2.61 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crane and Tower Operators | 3 | 0.971 |
| 2 | Continuous Mining Machine Operators | 1-2 | 0.969 |
| 3 | Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | 1-2 | 0.967 |
| 4 | Hoist and Winch Operators | 1-2 | 0.961 |
| 5 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | 1-2 | 0.961 |
| 6 | Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 1-2 | 0.960 |
| 7 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | 1-2 | 0.958 |
| 8 | Helpers--Extraction Workers | 1-2 | 0.957 |
| 9 | Biomass Plant Technicians | 1-2 | 0.956 |
| 10 | Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | 1-2 | 0.955 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biomass Plant Technicians | Learning Strategies | 1.00 | 0.956 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | Learning Strategies | 1.12 | 0.955 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | Management of Personnel Resources | 1.26 | 0.952 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Quality Control Analysis | 0.88 | 0.952 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | Reading Comprehension | 0.88 | 0.950 |
| Rail Car Repairers | Repairing | 1.00 | 0.944 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas, excluding software Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software | 3 of 20 | 2.2x |
| SAP software | 7 of 20 | 1.1x |
| Microsoft Windows | 5 of 20 | 1.0x |
| Microsoft Outlook | 10 of 20 | 0.7x |
| Web browser software | 3 of 20 | 0.3x |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 5 of 20 | 0.4x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.50 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.25 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.75 | 2.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.12 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 2.38 | 2.38 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.25 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.25 | 1.75 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.12 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.00 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | 3.50 | 4.54 |
| Administration and Management | 3.32 | 2.82 |
| Transportation | 3.31 | 3.45 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.30 | 3.30 |
| Design | 3.08 | 3.25 |
| Mathematics | 2.98 | 3.12 |
| Production and Processing | 2.93 | 2.85 |
| Law and Government | 2.83 | 2.81 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.79 | 2.44 |
| English Language | 2.77 | 2.60 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.76 | 3.15 |
| Education and Training | 2.68 | 2.61 |
| Administrative | 2.36 | 2.03 |
| Physics | 2.26 | 2.67 |
| Geography | 2.20 | 1.95 |
| Psychology | 2.12 | 1.97 |
| Chemistry | 2.07 | 2.20 |
| Telecommunications | 2.01 | 1.50 |
| Building and Construction | 1.99 | 2.06 |
| Biology | 1.84 | 1.40 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.80 | 1.40 |
| Economics and Accounting | 1.75 | 0.36 |
| Communications and Media | 1.66 | 1.15 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 1.64 | 1.07 |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.60 | not rated |
| Computers and Electronics | 1.48 | 1.22 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.44 | 0.87 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.41 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 1.39 | 0.61 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.30 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.30 | 0.51 |
| Fine Arts | 1.00 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.00 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Control Precision | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Reaction Time | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.88 | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.75 | 3.38 |
| Depth Perception | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Near Vision | 3.50 | 3.25 |
| Rate Control | 3.50 | 3.12 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Visualization | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 3.12 | 2.62 |
| Auditory Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Oral Expression | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Written Expression | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Category Flexibility | 2.88 | 3.12 |
| Response Orientation | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Speech Recognition | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Time Sharing | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.75 | 2.38 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.75 | 2.12 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Spatial Orientation | 2.62 | 2.38 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.38 | 2.38 |
| Static Strength | 2.38 | 2.38 |
| Originality | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.25 | 1.88 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.25 | 1.88 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.25 | 1.75 |
| Stamina | 2.25 | 1.62 |
| Memorization | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Number Facility | 2.00 | 2.12 |
| Night Vision | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Peripheral Vision | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Sound Localization | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.88 | 1.50 |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.75 | 1.38 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.75 | 1.38 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.12 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Excel hot
- Microsoft Office software hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Global positioning system GPS software
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 210 | 4.31 | $53,870 |
| Reno, NV | 110 | 3.18 | $61,200 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 110 | 2.98 | $57,570 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 650 | 2.17 | $58,750 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 180 | 1.90 | $56,150 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 170 | 1.62 | $63,300 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 210 | 1.40 | $73,560 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 230 | 1.28 | $55,610 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 160 | 1.15 | $62,710 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 160 | 1.15 | $62,400 |