How to hire a drilling assistant

How to hire a drilling assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step drilling assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a drilling assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new drilling assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your drilling assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a drilling assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a drilling assistant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a drilling assistant that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of drilling assistant salaries for various roles:

   Type of Drilling Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Drilling Assistant		$18-34
   Driller Helper	Driller helpers assist drillers in the drilling operation and the maintenance of equipment. They help in deploying drill rigs, logging information from the job site, and transporting equipment... Show more	$13-19

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Drill Holes
   • Geotechnical
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Safety Procedures
   • DOT
   • Construction Sites
   • DIG
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Drill Site
   • CPR
   • Mud Pumps
   • Core Samples
   • Equipment Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and approve field tickets receive from vendors and ensures proper AFE and costs codes are used.
   • Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, and manage their efforts to maximize their contribution to operational effectiveness and performance.
   • Drill and run 4``liner to TD at S/L 19154 #3 aboard the Hercules 49.
   • BOP testing are done with third party.
   • Prepare AFE cost estimates and turnkey bids.
   • Organize and maintain drill station to MSHA standards.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your drilling assistant job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A drilling assistant can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, drilling assistants' average salary in alabama is 43% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level drilling assistants 46% less than senior-level drilling assistants.
   • Certifications. A drilling assistant with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a drilling assistant's salary.

   Average drilling assistant salary

   $52,256yearly

   $25.12 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level drilling assistant salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a drilling assistant job description

   A drilling assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a drilling assistant job description:

   Drilling assistant job description example

   Thompson Engineering is looking for a Driller Assistant, willing to travel, but based in our Mobile, AL office. The Driller Assistant is responsible for assisting the Driller, other Driller Assistants, Soil Technicians and Project Engineers with the daily functions of geotechnical (with occasional environmental) drilling operations for both onshore and offshore project assignments.
   Essential Functions of the Position
   1. Perform variety of drilling duties handling drill rods, wrenches and other tools behind the drill rig equipment
   2. Responsible for loading and unloading drilling equipment in and out of the company vehicles and trailers
   3. Drives company vehicle to and from work sites
   4. On time and consistent attendance
   5. Picks up sacks filled with mud and empties the mud into the mixer container
   6. Monitors the fluid properties of the drilling fluids (mud)
   7. Equipment repairs and maintenance in the field and at shop
   
   Other Responsibilities
   1. Follow safety procedures
   2. Follow quality procedures
   3. Other duties as required Minimum Requirements
   1. High School diploma or equivalent
   2. Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
   3. Valid Driver's License required
   4. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) preferred
   5. Mechanical aptitude; past experience with working with mechanical systems of some type
   6. Past experience with working with hydraulic systems of some type preferred
   7. Ability to work on both onshore and offshore project assignments for extended periods of time as may be required for the projects Physical Requirements
   1. Ability to work in the field or outside 12 months of the year up to 100% of scheduled work hours
   2. Required to be standing or walking for up to 12 hours per work day and walk on uneven/unstable surfaces, concrete, grass, dirt, gravel
   3. Must be able to bend, stoop and climb
   4. Must be able to communicate verbally
   5. Required to be able to lift up to 100 lb. sacks of materials
   6. Ability to manipulate with hands to screw and unscrew equipment, operate tools and machinery
   7. Ability to travel and stay overnight on out of town assignments, and work flexible schedules including overtime based on the drilling work load
   About Us: Thompson Engineering was formed in 1953 to provide quality assurance for construction projects related to industrial, infrastructure, and community development. As a drilling, materials testing, and construction inspection and chemistry laboratory firm, we supported the engineering and construction industry. Our early years were building blocks that allowed us to get our feet wet - literally - performing services along the Gulf Coast's rivers, bayous, and streams. Today, Thompson Engineering is known for leadership on projects defining skylines, coastlines, and transportation lines. We support clients in the industrial, commercial, transportation, federal, and municipal markets. We are often the first company on project sites conducting environmental assessments, land surveys, and geotechnical studies. And our project management and construction management services often mean we are the last ones to leave. We are a proven leader in the planning, design, and construction of major transportation, economic development, and waterfront projects across the Southeast. Thompson Engineering and Watermark Design Group are equal opportunity employers. M/F/D/V. Pre-employment drug screen, physical and motor vehicle record checks are required.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right drilling assistant for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with drilling assistants they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit drilling assistants who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your drilling assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit drilling assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit drilling assistants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new drilling assistant

   Once you have selected a candidate for the drilling assistant position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new drilling assistant first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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