Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
SOC Code: 47-5012
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas carries a 31% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $65,010 and +0.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 13,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 31% AI exposure, Rotary drill operators, oil and gas sits 6 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 33% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Rotary drill operators, oil and gas sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas has ai exposure of 31%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Rotary drill operators, oil and gas is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5012) carries an AI exposure score of 31%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 13,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +0.2% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $65,010, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Rotary drill operators, oil and gas. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
- 2. 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.
- 3. Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
- 4. 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.
- 5. Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
- 6. Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
- 7. Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
- 8. Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
- 9. Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
- 10. Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.
Key Skills Required
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Instructing
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Public Safety and Security
- Chemistry
- Production and Processing
- Transportation
- Engineering and Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Rotary drill operators, oil and gas?
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas has an AI exposure score of 31%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Rotary drill operators, oil and gas?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Rotary drill operators, oil and gas is projected to grow by 0.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 13,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Rotary drill operators, oil and gas?
Key skills for Rotary drill operators, oil and gas include Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn?
The median annual wage for Rotary drill operators, oil and gas is $65,010, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Rotary drill operators, oil and gas?
The typical entry-level education for Rotary drill operators, oil and gas is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Rotary drill operators, oil and gas?
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).