Also called: Rotary Drill Operator
Runs the drilling equipment on an offshore oil and gas rig from the driller's cabin, controlling the drill and watching well pressure for signs of danger.
From the 'driller's shack' on the rig floor, the driller controls the drill string with joysticks and screens, watching pressure for signs of danger.
High school diploma, about 6 years after high school. No degree needed; rise from roustabout to roughneck to derrickhand to driller.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Petroleum Technology (2-year).
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. Automated drilling control systems run more of the work; drillers shift to supervising machines and handling surprises.
Classes: Physics, Shop class, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-5012.
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.