Earth Drillers 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.
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- Earth Drillers
Architecture and Construction
What do they typically do
- Select the appropriate drill for the job using knowledge of rock or soil conditions
- Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled
- Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations
- Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes
- Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed
- Monitor drilling operations, checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine need to adjust drilling or change equipment
- Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills
- Check depths and alignments of boring positions
Number of Jobs
Average Annual
Job Growth +1.5%
Job Openings 47
Education & Training
- Education These occupations usually require a high school diploma.Associated Programs or MajorsLicense
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