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Hand driller vs drilling rig operator

The differences between hand drillers and drilling rig operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a hand driller and a drilling rig operator. Additionally, a hand driller has an average salary of $49,292, which is higher than the $44,739 average annual salary of a drilling rig operator.

The top three skills for a hand driller include rig, safety procedures and CDL. The most important skills for a drilling rig operator are CDL, OSHA, and minor maintenance.

Hand driller vs drilling rig operator overview

Hand DrillerDrilling Rig Operator
Yearly salary$49,292$44,739
Hourly rate$23.70$21.51
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs5,60934,198
Job satisfaction-3.67
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 49%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Hand driller vs drilling rig operator salary

Hand drillers and drilling rig operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hand DrillerDrilling Rig Operator
Average salary$49,292$44,739
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $63,000Between $33,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between hand driller and drilling rig operator education

There are a few differences between a hand driller and a drilling rig operator in terms of educational background:

Hand DrillerDrilling Rig Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 59%High School Diploma, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Hand driller vs drilling rig operator demographics

Here are the differences between hand drillers' and drilling rig operators' demographics:

Hand DrillerDrilling Rig Operator
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between hand driller and drilling rig operator duties and responsibilities

Hand driller example responsibilities.

  • Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, and manage their efforts to maximize their contribution to operational effectiveness and performance.
  • Frequent use of torches and welders require.
  • Set up irrigation system, and fix sprinklers.
  • Well drilling, pumps, equipment operater, driving with cdl trucks
  • Train in CPR, have been fit test to work under full mask respirator.
  • Record daily drilling activities accurately in IADC reports while keeping accurate component tally.
  • Show more

Drilling rig operator example responsibilities.

  • Maintain fluid weights by careful mixing of chemicals using PPE and careful mathematical calculations in collaboration with engineers.
  • Manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients using GMP format and aseptic techniques.

Hand driller vs drilling rig operator skills

Common hand driller skills
  • Rig, 42%
  • Safety Procedures, 15%
  • CDL, 6%
  • Hand Drill, 4%
  • RAN, 3%
  • Water Truck, 3%
Common drilling rig operator skills
  • CDL, 23%
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Minor Maintenance, 8%
  • Augers, 7%
  • Equipment Maintenance, 7%
  • Geotechnical, 7%

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