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Construction and Trades

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
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Median pay

$65,010
Median annual pay for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

0.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

13,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

0
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience; Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Mathematics
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Personnel and Human Resources
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Control Precision
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Near Vision
  4. 4Arm-Hand Steadiness
  5. 5Manual Dexterity
  6. 6Multilimb Coordination

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Leadership Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  2. 2Controlling Machines and Processes
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Performing General Physical Activities
  5. 5Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Health and Safety of Other Workers

Representative 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.
  • Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
  • Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
  • Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyPython · hot technologySalesforce software · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyCAPSHER Technology SureTecDrillingsoftware DrillProDrillingsoftware Tubular DatabasePason WellView Field SolutionSchlumberger Petrel E&PStructure query language SQL

The short answer

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.

The measurable national baseline is $65,010 median annual pay, 0.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 1,200 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is $65,010. Current employment is 13,300, with projected 2034 employment of 13,400. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 0.2% employment growth for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas from 2024 to 2034 and about 1,200 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related work experience is Less than 5 years, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

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.

A representative O*NET task is: Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective. The broader activity profile emphasizes Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Controlling Machines and Processes, Handling and Moving Objects.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening. Leading knowledge areas are Mechanical, Mathematics, Administration and Management. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, Python.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $65,010. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?

BLS projects 0.2% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 1,200 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas involve?

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.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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