Shigoto Zukan
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Will AI replace earth drillers, except oil and gas?AI replacement risk 12% and how the work is changing

United States Construction Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$60,190
25th–75th pct. $49,900–$72,450
Top pay (est.)
$108,900
Top 10% $83,800
Pay in 5 years
$70,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$83,000est.
$71,400–$96,400
Outlook score
56/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
12%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+3.6%
1,400 openings / yr

Will AI replace Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas? AI replacement risk

12%
Very low
Ranked #52 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

Key skills

Operation and Control
4.0
Operations Monitoring
4.0
Equipment Maintenance
3.2
Monitoring
3.1
Coordination
3.0
Troubleshooting
3.0
Quality Control Analysis
3.0
Repairing
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical
4.5
Transportation
3.5
Public Safety and Security
3.3
Design
3.2
Engineering and Technology
3.1
Mathematics
3.1
Production and Processing
2.9
Administration and Management
2.8

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Important abilities

Control PrecisionReaction TimeMultilimb CoordinationDepth PerceptionProblem SensitivityPerceptual Speed

Education of workers

High school diploma
73%
Less than high school
15%
Post-secondary certificate
12%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
23%
3–6 months
17%
None / short demo
16%
1–2 years
15%
1–3 months
14%
4–10 years
11%
2–4 years
3%
6–12 months
2%

Related work experience

None
30%
4–6 years
17%
2–4 years
14%
1–3 months
14%
1–2 years
11%
6–12 months
5%
3–6 months
5%
6–8 years
3%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.