Post job

What is a drilling foreman and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
The average drilling foreman salary is $95,329. The most common degree is a high school diploma degree with an business major. It usually takes more than 10 years of experience to become a drilling foreman. Drilling foremen with a OSHA Safety Certificate certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -3% and produce -400 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreDrilling ForemanUS Average
Salary
7.4

Avg. Salary $95,329

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.08%

Asian 1.44%

Black or African American 5.69%

Hispanic or Latino 18.70%

Unknown 3.89%

White 69.19%

Gender

female 2.59%

male 97.41%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Drilling foreman career paths

Key steps to become a drilling foreman

  1. Explore drilling foreman education requirements

    Most common drilling foreman degrees

    High School Diploma

    43.3 %

    Bachelor's

    28.8 %

    Associate

    17.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific drilling foreman skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Safety Standards27.91%
    DOT18.75%
    LLC17.12%
    Directional Drill14.93%
    Equipment Maintenance6.32%
  3. Complete relevant drilling foreman training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New drilling foremen learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a drilling foreman based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real drilling foreman resumes.
  4. Research drilling foreman duties and responsibilities

    • Manage drilling operations for geotechnical drilling operations
    • Experience with CO2 and H2S.
    • Utilize strong leadership and management skills in conducting site supervision and work scope compliance for various remodeling improvements.
    • Signale worker operating hoisting equipment to lift and place structural-steel member.
  5. Prepare your drilling foreman resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your drilling foreman resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a drilling foreman resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable drilling foreman resume templates

    Build a professional drilling foreman resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your drilling foreman resume.
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
    Drilling Foreman Resume
  6. Apply for drilling foreman jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a drilling foreman job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first drilling foreman job

Zippi

Are you a drilling foreman?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average drilling foreman salary

The average drilling foreman salary in the United States is $95,329 per year or $46 per hour. Drilling foreman salaries range between $68,000 and $132,000 per year.

Average drilling foreman salary
$95,329 Yearly
$45.83 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do drilling foremen rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Drilling foreman reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Work with people who respect safety and environment, also who they help each other and have common objectives, who compromise and dedication are essential.

Cons

Work don't respect safety and enviroment.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

Its a challenging job where every day is a new day expecting an expected. Always able to try new things & approach to improve performance both in operation & Safety. Its a job which makes me feel alive and young everyday

Cons

Nothing apart from being away from my family for a long period of time


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Cons

I don't like when there is no project.


Working as a drilling foreman? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse construction and extraction jobs