Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

Also known as: Auger Operator, Blast Driller, Blast Hole Driller (+60 more)

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.

🎓 Experience Level 2 (Some preparation needed) 📈 Construction; Energy & Natural Resources

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What You'll Do

Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 4.0/5

Operation and Control 3.88/5

Critical Thinking 3.25/5

Equipment Maintenance 3.25/5

Monitoring 3.12/5

Active Listening 3.0/5

Speaking 3.0/5

Coordination 3.0/5

Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5

Equipment Selection 3.0/5

Troubleshooting 3.0/5

Quality Control Analysis 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Cautiousness, Attention to Detail, Perseverance, Stress Tolerance

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 4.0/5

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.88/5

Multilimb Coordination 3.88/5

Reaction Time 3.88/5

Manual Dexterity 3.75/5

Depth Perception 3.62/5

Rate Control 3.5/5

Near Vision 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Global positioning system GPS software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Word

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

Dependability (High importance: 4.57/5)
Cautiousness (High importance: 4.49/5)
Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.37/5)
Perseverance (High importance: 4.13/5)
Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.01/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Auger Operator Blast Driller Blast Hole Driller Boring Machine Operator Churn Drill Operator Churn Driller Construction Driller Construction Well Drill Operator Core Driller Debris Monitor Deep Well Contractor Diamond Driller Directional Drill Operator Directional Driller Drill Hand Drill Operator Drill Rig Operator Drill Runner Drill Technician Driller Drilling Assistant Drilling Machine Operator Drilling Machine Runner Earth Auger Operator Earth Boring Machine Operator Electric Drill Operator Environmental Driller Environmental Sampler Foundation Drill Operator Geotechnical Operating Engineer Geothermal and Well Drilling Operator Geothermal Operating Engineer Ground Water Contractor Hard Rock Drill Operator Highwall Drill Operator Hole Digger Operator Horizontal Directional Drill Operator Horizontal Drill Operator Horizontal Earth Boring Machine Operator Hydraulic Rock Drill Operator Jumper Machine Driller Post Hole Digger Post Hole Digging Machine Operator Raise Driller Rock Drill Operator Shot Core Drill Operator Soil Sampler Stoper Test Borer Test Driller Tunneling Machine Operator Underground Drill Operator Wagon Drill Operator Wagon Driller Wagoner Wash Driller Water Blaster Water Well Driller Well Digger Well Drill Operator Well Driller Well Testing Operator

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.

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