Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 | All Occupations

< Construction and extraction occupations >

< Occupations not studied in detail

< Earth drillers, except oil and gas >

The section of the ocouha website contains the text of the 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook. This information is no longer being updated. For more recent information, start at the ocouha homepage www.ocouha.com.

Earth drillers, except oil and gas

Definition | Significant Points | Quick Stats

Definition

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. May use explosives. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

source: OOH; about this section

Significant Points

2002 employment: 23,000
Projected 2002-12 employment change: More slowly than average
Most significant source of training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

source: OOH; about this section

Quick Stats

Earth drillers, except oil and gas

2002 employment: 23,000
2012 projected employment: 25,000
Change — numeric: 2,000; percent: 7.7%
2002 median annual earnings: $32,490; earnings group: high
2002 self-employed: 14.9%
2002 part-time employment: very low
2002 unemployment: high
Typical education and training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Educational attainment — high school: 78.4%; some college: 20.5%; bachelor's degree: 1.2%

source: Employment Matrix; about this section

See the Occupational Outlook Handbook in print.