Skip to content

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

Construction and Extraction (47-5012)

Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.

At a Glance

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earns a median of $65,010/yr with +0.2% projected growth. Typical entry: No formal educational credential. Top skills: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Controlling Machines and Processes, SAP software.

Median Annual Wage

$65,010/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+0.2%

Annual Openings

1

Typical Education

No formal educational credential

Skills & Requirements

Skills (8)

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.6
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

3.6
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

3.6
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.5
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.4
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.4
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.3
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.3

Knowledge (3)

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

3.9
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.8
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.3

Abilities (15)

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

4.0
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.0
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.9
Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

3.8
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.8
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.8
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.6
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.6
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.6
Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

3.5
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.4
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.4
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.4
Rate Control

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

3.4
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.3

Technology (6)

SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Salesforce software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Python

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (23)

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.6
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

4.5
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

4.3
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.2
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.2
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.2
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

4.2
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.1
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

4.1
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

4.0
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.9
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.9
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.8
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.7
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.6
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.6
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

3.6
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.6
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.5
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.4
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.4
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas.

Get Started Free