Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC Code: 47-5012 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $67,330 | $90,709 | $114,067 | $137,446 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $58,157 | $75,275 | $92,414 | $109,533 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $58,594 | $75,400 | $92,186 | $108,992 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,968 | $75,608 | $92,248 | $108,888 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $58,635 | $75,234 | $91,832 | $108,430 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,741 | $74,506 | $91,291 | $108,056 |
| Chico, CA | $53,186 | $71,178 | $89,190 | $107,182 |
| El Centro, CA | $53,186 | $71,178 | $89,190 | $107,182 |
| Fresno, CA | $53,186 | $71,178 | $89,190 | $107,182 |
| Merced, CA | $53,186 | $71,178 | $89,190 | $107,182 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Monitoring | 3.5 | |
| Instructing | 3.4 | |
| Active Listening | 3.4 | |
| Coordination | 3.2 | |
| Speaking | 3.2 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| Administration and Management | 3.3 |
| Education and Training | 3.2 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 3.1 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.8 |
| Chemistry | 2.8 |
| Production and Processing | 2.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | 31.1% |
| High school diploma | 28.7% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 22.1% |
| Some college | 9.1% |
| Bachelor's degree | 8.9% |
Typical 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.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Word Python SAP software Salesforce software CAPSHER Technology SureTec Drillingsoftware DrillPro Drillingsoftware Tubular Database Pason WellView Field Solution Schlumberger Petrel E&P Structure query language SQL
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