Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Construction and Extraction Occupations
O*NET-SOC code
47-5011.00

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

  • Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08

    Low· relative

    LowFour relative bandsVery high

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)

    831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band

    Source dataset (XLSX download)

  • Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03

    0.000

    0.000Range of values carried here0.745
    Scale, basis and source

    Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Mapped onto O*NET tasks

    Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value

    Source dataset (CSV download)

  • Data source: ILOPublished: 2025

    0.19

    0.09Range of values carried here0.70

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published

    Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

15 rated tasks · 0 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (0.0%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

  • Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
  • All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
Source
OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release
gh-main-0471612
License
MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.

Task (O*NET 27.2)βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.

O*NET Task ID 9889

0.0
Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.

O*NET Task ID 9890

0.0
Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.

O*NET Task ID 9891

0.0
Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.

O*NET Task ID 9892

0.0
Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.

O*NET Task ID 9893

0.0
Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.

O*NET Task ID 9894

0.0
Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.

O*NET Task ID 9895

0.0
Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.

O*NET Task ID 9896

0.0
Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.

O*NET Task ID 9897

0.0
Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.

O*NET Task ID 9898

0.0
Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.

O*NET Task ID 9899

0.0
Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.

O*NET Task ID 9900

0.0
Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.

O*NET Task ID 9901

0.0
String cables through pulleys and blocks.

O*NET Task ID 9902

0.0
Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.

O*NET Task ID 9903

0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (15)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)Type
Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.Core
Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.Core
Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.Core
Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.Core
Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.Core
Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.Core
Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.Core
Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.Core
Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.Core
Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.Core
Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.Core
Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.Core
String cables through pulleys and blocks.Core
Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.Core
Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.Supplemental

Occupation information

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025
11K
Projected employment, 2035
11K
Change (2025–35)
+1.6%
Median annual wage, 2025
$58,620
Typical education needed for entry
No formal educational credential
lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO codeKSCO titleRelationStatus
87402시추 장비 조작원This occupation is narrowerconfirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

  • ISCO-08 8113Well Drillers and Borers and Related Workers

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Well drillers and borers and related workers position, assemble and operate drilling machinery and related equipment to sink wells, extract rock samples, liquids and gases or for a variety of other purposes.

Tasks

  • (a) dismantling, moving and assembling drilling rigs and auxiliary equipment;
  • (b) assembling and dismantling pipes, casings and drill heads, and replacing dysfunctional equipment;
  • (c) operating controls to lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells, regulate pressure in the well and control the speed of tools;
  • (d) preparing drilling fluid and checking the operation of pumps to ensure adequate circulation of fluid in drill pipe and well;
  • (e) monitoring gauges and other indicators and listening to equipment to detect malfunctions and unusual well conditions, and determining the need to change drilling or equipment;
  • (f) maintaining, adjusting, repairing and cleaning drilling rigs, hoisting and other machinery;
  • (g) maintaining records of drilling and servicing operations;
  • (h) operating machines and tools to extract dust, cuttings and lost and broken drilling equipment from holes and wells;
  • (i) closing and sealing wells no longer in use;
  • (j) supervising and training crew members.

Example occupations

Bore sinker · Boring equipment operator · Derrickman · Derrick operator · Developmental driller · Directional driller · Driller (oil or gas well) · Drilling plant operator · Drilling rig operator · Power-tong operator · Toolpusher · Tourpusher

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

  • derrickhandESCO 8113.1Same scope

    Derrickhands guide the positions and movements of drill pipes. They control the automated pipe-handling equipment. They are often responsible for the condition of drilling fluids, or "mud".

  • drill operatorESCO 8113.2Overlapping, not the same

    Drill operators supervise a team during rigging and drilling operations. They monitor well activity and take measures in case of emergencies.

  • oil rig motorhandESCO 8113.3Overlapping, not the same

    Oil rig motorhands assume responsibility for the engines powering the drilling equipment. They ensure that all other rig equipment operates correctly.

  • roughneckESCO 8113.5Overlapping, not the same

    Roughnecks make or break connections when the drill pipe is tripped in or out of the drilling hole. They assemble and disassemble pipes and drills, and collect core samples. They maintain and repair the equipment on the drilling floor.

  • roustaboutESCO 8113.6Overlapping, not the same

    Roustabouts maintain and repair oil field equipment and machinery using hand and power tools. They do general labor, such as cleaning, digging trenches, scraping and painting rig components.

  • well-diggerESCO 8113.9Overlapping, not the same

    Well-diggers operate drilling machinery and equipment to create and maintain wells for use in extracting ore and other liquids and gases. They record operations, maintain equipment, seal unused wells and prevent ground contamination.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME codeROME title (French)Relation
F1401Foreur / ForeuseThis occupation is narrower
F1403Foreur / Foreuse pétrole et gazThis occupation is narrowerprovisional
F1404Technicien / Technicienne de forage pétrole et gazRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 codeCNO-11 title (Spanish)Relation
8113Sondistas y trabajadores afinesThis occupation is narrower

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB codeKldB title (German)Relation
21112Berufe im Berg- und Tagebau - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenThis occupation is narrower

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO codeJSCO title (Japanese)Relation
645建設・さく井機械運転従事者This occupation is narrowerprovisional
646採油・天然ガス採取機械運転従事者Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources