Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Construction and Extraction Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 47-5023.00
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.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-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
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, 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
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.17–0.19· 2 ISCO-08 groups
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
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.
ILO value for each linked ISCO-08 group
- ISCO-08 8111Miners and Quarriers0.17
- ISCO-08 8113Well Drillers and Borers and Related Workers0.19
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only30 rated tasks · 6 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (20.0%)
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
- 1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- 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 |
|---|---|
Record drilling progress and geological data.O*NET Task ID 13680 | 1.0 |
Document geological formations encountered during work.O*NET Task ID 13686 | 1.0 |
Design well pumping systems.O*NET Task ID 13690 | 0.5 |
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.O*NET Task ID 13692 | 0.5 |
Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis.O*NET Task ID 13695 | 0.5 |
Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns.O*NET Task ID 21016 | 0.5 |
Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.O*NET Task ID 13668 | 0.0 |
Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.O*NET Task ID 13669 | 0.0 |
Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.O*NET Task ID 13671 | 0.0 |
Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.O*NET Task ID 13672 | 0.0 |
Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.O*NET Task ID 13673 | 0.0 |
Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.O*NET Task ID 13674 | 0.0 |
Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations.O*NET Task ID 13675 | 0.0 |
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.O*NET Task ID 13676 | 0.0 |
Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.O*NET Task ID 13677 | 0.0 |
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.O*NET Task ID 13678 | 0.0 |
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.O*NET Task ID 13679 | 0.0 |
Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment.O*NET Task ID 13681 | 0.0 |
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.O*NET Task ID 13682 | 0.0 |
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.O*NET Task ID 13683 | 0.0 |
Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes.O*NET Task ID 13684 | 0.0 |
Perform pumping tests to assess well performance.O*NET Task ID 13685 | 0.0 |
Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples.O*NET Task ID 13687 | 0.0 |
Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes.O*NET Task ID 13688 | 0.0 |
Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells.O*NET Task ID 13689 | 0.0 |
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.O*NET Task ID 13691 | 0.0 |
Observe electronic graph recorders and flow meters that monitor the water used to flush debris from holes.O*NET Task ID 13693 | 0.0 |
Signal crane operators to move equipment.O*NET Task ID 13694 | 0.0 |
Fabricate well casings.O*NET Task ID 13696 | 0.0 |
Monitor drilling operations, by checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment.O*NET Task ID 23489 | 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 (29)
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 |
|---|---|
| Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled. | Core |
| Verify depths and alignments of boring positions. | Core |
| Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes. | Core |
| Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions. | Core |
| Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills. | Core |
| Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed. | Core |
| Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes. | Core |
| Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks. | Core |
| Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery. | Core |
| Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites. | Core |
| Record drilling progress and geological data. | Core |
| Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment. | Core |
| Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools. | Core |
| Document geological formations encountered during work. | Core |
| Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations. | Supplemental |
| Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings. | Supplemental |
| Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes. | Supplemental |
| Perform pumping tests to assess well performance. | Supplemental |
| Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples. | Supplemental |
| Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes. | Supplemental |
| Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells. | Supplemental |
| Design well pumping systems. | Supplemental |
| Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use. | Supplemental |
| Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates. | Supplemental |
| Signal crane operators to move equipment. | Supplemental |
| Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis. | Supplemental |
| Fabricate well casings. | Supplemental |
| Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns. | Supplemental |
| Monitor drilling operations, by checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment. | — |
1.17/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled. | E2 structured facilities |
| Verify depths and alignments of boring positions. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills. | E2 structured facilities |
| Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed. | E2 structured facilities |
| Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes. | E2 structured facilities |
| Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks. | E2 structured facilities |
| Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery. | E0 none |
| Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites. | E2 structured facilities |
| Retrieve lost equipment from bore holes, using retrieval tools and equipment. | E0 none |
| Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Drill or bore holes in rock for blasting, grouting, anchoring, or building foundations. | E2 structured facilities |
| Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Operate water-well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore, and dig for water wells or for environmental assessment purposes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform pumping tests to assess well performance. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Withdraw drill rods from holes, and extract core samples. | E2 structured facilities |
| Retract augers to force discharge dirt from holes. | E2 structured facilities |
| Place and install screens, casings, pumps, and other well fixtures to develop wells. | E0 none |
| Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use. | E0 none |
| Inspect core samples to determine nature of strata, or take samples to laboratories for analysis. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Fabricate well casings. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns. | E2 structured facilities |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 20K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 20K
- Change (2025–35)
- +3.6%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $60,190
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
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 code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87401 | 굴착기·착암기 및 채광기 조작원 | Overlapping, not the same | confirmed |
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 8111Miners and Quarriers
- ISCO-08 8113Well Drillers and Borers and Related Workers
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.
- tunnel boring machine operatorESCO 8113.8This occupation is broader
Tunnel boring machine operators work on large pieces of tunnelling equipment commonly known as TBMs. They regulate the operation of the machine, adjusting the torque of the rotating cutting wheel and screw conveyor to maximise stability of the tunnel before tunnel rings are installed. Tunnel boring machine operators then put the reinforced concrete rings in place using remote controls.
- derrickhandESCO 8113.1Overlapping, not the same
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".
- drilling machine operatorESCO 7223.5Overlapping, not the same
Drilling machine operators set up, program and control drilling machines, designed to drill holes in workpieces using a computer-controlled, rotary-cutting, multipointed cutting tool, inserted into the workpiece axially. They read drilling machine blueprints and tooling instructions, perform regular machine maintenance, and make adjustments to the drilling controls, such as the depth of drills or the rotation speed.
- 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.
- stone drillerESCO 8112.3Overlapping, not the same
Stone drillers operate the drilling machine that bores holes into stone blocks. They manipulate granit, sandstone, marble and slate according to specifications.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
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 code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| F1401 | Foreur / Foreuse | This occupation is narrower |
| F1302 | Conducteur / Conductrice d'engins de chantier | Related, not a match |
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 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 8113 | Sondistas y trabajadores afines | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 8111 | Mineros y otros operadores en instalaciones mineras | Related, not a matchprovisional |
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 code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 32242 | Berufe im Brunnenbau - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 21112 | Berufe im Berg- und Tagebau - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 32243 | Berufe im Brunnenbau - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
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 code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 645 | 建設・さく井機械運転従事者 | This occupation is narrower |
| 683 | ダム・トンネル掘削従事者 | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 699 | その他の採掘従事者 | Related, not a match |
| 691 | 採鉱員 | 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