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AI Work Index

Headline risk

2%

Very Low Risk

Earth drillers, except oil and gas

United States AI Work IndexISCO 1120major_group_fallback

United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.

18.3 current · 18.8 projectedConfidence high

Why This Score

Tasks 100%

Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities

Wage $60K

Median annual wage

Demand 3%

Projected employment change over 10 years

Preparation Zone 2

Typical preparation needed for this occupation

Occupation profile

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.

Task evidence

100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage

Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works

United States Now

Median Wage

USD 59,600

Employment 2024

18.3K

Projected Change (2024–34)

2.9%

Openings (2024–34)

1.7K

Wage distribution

Bottom 10%: USD 44,45025th pctl: USD 49,720Median: USD 59,60075th pctl: USD 73,530Top 10%: USD 87,760

Demand outlook

Projections published, but no prose outlook available.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent Experience: —

Role Profile

Detail orientedFine motorAdaptability

Tasks

  • 1. Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills. AI use: 0%
  • 2. Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes. AI use: 0%
  • 3. Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed. AI use: 0%
  • 4. Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes. AI use: 0%
  • 5. Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery. AI use: 0%
  • 6. Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled. AI use: 0%

Technologies

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordGlobal positioning system GPS software

Requirements

License required: 23.9%License required: 76.1%Apprenticeship: 17.3%Apprenticeship: 82.7%Certificate: 5.8%Certificate: 94.2%

Work context

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets 4.8/5
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls 4.7/5
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.5/5
Freedom to Make Decisions 4.5/5
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment 4.4/5
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable 4.4/5

Worker profile

Median age 47.1 · 254K employed

Under 25: 3% · 25–54: 68% · 55+: 29%

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Estimated modern role scored with US data