Tunneling machine operator vs well driller helper

The differences between tunneling machine operators and well driller helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a tunneling machine operator and a well driller helper. Additionally, a well driller helper has an average salary of $34,722, which is higher than the $29,347 average annual salary of a tunneling machine operator.

Tunneling machine operator vs well driller helper overview

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Well Driller Helper
Yearly salary	$29,347	$34,722
Hourly rate	$14.11	$16.69
Growth rate	7%	4%
Number of jobs	53,605	14,185
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Tunneling machine operator vs well driller helper salary

Tunneling machine operators and well driller helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Well Driller Helper
Average salary	$29,347	$34,722
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $36,000	Between $29,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between tunneling machine operator and well driller helper education

There are a few differences between a tunneling machine operator and a well driller helper in terms of educational background:

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Well Driller Helper
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	General Studies	General Education, Specific Areas
Most common college	-	-

Tunneling machine operator vs well driller helper demographics

Here are the differences between tunneling machine operators' and well driller helpers' demographics:

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Well Driller Helper
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%	Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
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 tunneling machine operator and well driller helper duties and responsibilities

Tunneling machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

Well driller helper example responsibilities.

Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, and manage their efforts to maximize their contribution to operational effectiveness and performance.
Maintain and operate air rotary drill rig, hydraulic and pneumatic associate equipment to safely perform assign task.
Record daily drilling activities accurately in IADC reports while keeping accurate component tally.

Tunneling machine operator vs well driller helper skills

Common tunneling machine operator skills

Control Room, 84%
Dryers, 16%

Common well driller helper skills

Tunneling Machine Operator vs. similar jobs

Tunneling Machine Operator related careers

Tunneling Machine Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

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Construction and Extraction Industry
Tunneling Machine Operator
Tunneling Machine Operator vs Well Driller Helper

Updated January 8, 2025

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