Also called: Derrick Operator
Works high on the rig's mast handling pipe and keeps the drilling mud system running.
You climb to a platform 90 feet up on the derrick and guide stands of pipe as they're pulled out of the hole. Then you check the mud pumps and tanks.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma plus on-the-job training.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Robotic pipe-handling systems are taking over the derrick, reducing these high, risky jobs.
Classes: Shop class, Weight training.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-5011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.