Construction · SOC 47-5023
Drilling documentation and geological logging face AI encroachment, but the physical rig operation stays human.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: AI geological logging tools are already reducing manual documentation work; physical drilling operations remain human-led through the 2030s.
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$52,240 median pay
$78,690 median pay
$72,120 median pay
$57,980 median pay
$65,010 median pay
$59,310 median pay
AI job-risk card
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas is 28/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
28 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Documenting geological formations encountered, Recording drilling progress and geological data, Creating and laying out drill and blast patterns, Verifying and logging depths and boring alignments. Harder to automate: Operating controls to position and align drills, Driving and stabilizing truck-mounted rigs on-site, Routine maintenance and bit rebuilding, Flushing earth cuttings and managing drill fluids.
Lean into Drill rig operation, Geology fundamentals, Digital field data capture, Equipment maintenance. Consider roles such as Drilling supervisor or Geological technician or Well inspection specialist.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.