Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Machines can already do 26% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 66%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 26% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 66% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 19,450 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $60,190 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Blast Hole Driller, Diamond Driller, Drill Operator, Driller.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed | 8% | 30% to 75% | |
| Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled | 7% | 30% to 75% | |
| Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Monitor drilling operations, by checking gauges and listening to equipment to assess drilling conditions and to determine the need to adjust drilling or alter equipment | 6% | 40% to 80% | |
| Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks | 5% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills earth drillers, except oil and gas use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Crane and Tower Operators61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $68,080
- Boilermakers59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $76,410
- Wellhead Pumpers62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $69,960
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,960
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of earth drillers, except oil and gas?
Machines can do 26% of the tasks of earth drillers, except oil and gas today and 66% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 47-5023.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/earth-drillers-except-oil-and-gas/