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The differences between drillers and directional drillers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a driller and a directional driller. Additionally, a directional driller has an average salary of $54,153, which is higher than the $49,896 average annual salary of a driller.
The top three skills for a driller include CDL, preventative maintenance and safety policies. The most important skills for a directional driller are CDL, safety procedures, and safety standards.
A driller is responsible for reviewing and analyzing drilling parameters to perform the drilling procedures safely and successfully. Drillers inspect drilling tools and equipment before and after the operations to ensure its operational efficiency and optimal performance. They keep an organized report of the drilling progress, assist other rig workers, assemble drilling machinery, and strictly adhere to the safety regulations at all times to avoid drilling operation hazards. In some cases, drillers evaluate the land condition before proceeding to provide special instructions for safety controls.
A Directional Driller specializes in drilling wells at different angles for better sources. They operate a variety of tools and machinery, follow guidelines, and conduct measurements and assessments to ensure quality and efficiency. There are also instances when they must produce progress and evaluation reports, maintain documentation, and develop maintenance strategies for the equipment. Directional Drillers must maintain an active communication line with co-workers, all while adhering to the company's safety policies and workplace regulations.
Drillers and directional drillers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Driller | Directional Driller | |
| Average salary | $49,896 | $54,153 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $63,000 | Between $35,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Nabors Industries | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a driller and a directional driller in terms of educational background:
| Driller | Directional Driller | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between drillers' and directional drillers' demographics:
| Driller | Directional Driller | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% | Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |