Horizontal drill operator vs core sampler

The differences between horizontal drill operators and core samplers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a horizontal drill operator and a core sampler. Additionally, a core sampler has an average salary of $42,760, which is higher than the $38,118 average annual salary of a horizontal drill operator.

Horizontal drill operator vs core sampler overview

	Horizontal Drill Operator	Core Sampler
Yearly salary	$38,118	$42,760
Hourly rate	$18.33	$20.56
Growth rate	7%	-3%
Number of jobs	29,944	270
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Horizontal drill operator vs core sampler salary

Horizontal drill operators and core samplers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Horizontal Drill Operator	Core Sampler
Average salary	$38,118	$42,760
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $52,000	Between $23,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between horizontal drill operator and core sampler education

There are a few differences between a horizontal drill operator and a core sampler in terms of educational background:

	Horizontal Drill Operator	Core Sampler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	General Studies
Most common college	-	-

Horizontal drill operator vs core sampler demographics

Here are the differences between horizontal drill operators' and core samplers' demographics:

	Horizontal Drill Operator	Core Sampler
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%	Male, 30.8% Female, 69.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 0.8% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 0.8% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between horizontal drill operator and core sampler duties and responsibilities

Horizontal drill operator example responsibilities.

Maintain fluid weights by careful mixing of chemicals using PPE and careful mathematical calculations in collaboration with engineers.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

Core sampler example responsibilities.

Change out augers and hollow stems and take samples and box them and label them and return them to the engineers.
Dig holes, set forms, and mix and pour concrete, for foundations of steel or wooden derricks.

Horizontal drill operator vs core sampler skills

Common horizontal drill operator skills

CDL, 72%
Directional Drill, 23%
Fiber Optic, 3%
Hand Holes, 1%
Routine Maintenance, 0%

Common core sampler skills

Horizontal Drill Operator vs. similar jobs

Horizontal Drill Operator related careers

Horizontal Drill Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Operator responsibilities

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Construction and Extraction Industry
Horizontal Drill Operator
Horizontal Drill Operator vs Core Sampler

Updated January 8, 2025

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