SOC 475023

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.

National Median

$59,600

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$59,600

Entry Level (10th pct)

$44,450

Experienced (90th pct)

$87,760

Total Employed

17,410

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$44,450 - $49,720
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$49,720 - $73,530
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$73,530 - $87,760

Highest Paying Locations for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

Fairbanks-College, AK

$92,240

+54.8% vs national

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

$84,110

+41.1% vs national

Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area

$81,500

+36.7% vs national

Massachusetts

$80,780

+35.5% vs national

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

$80,030

+34.3% vs national

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Fairbanks-College, AK	$92,240	50
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$84,110	100
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$81,500	460
Massachusetts	$80,780	160
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$80,030	260
Illinois	$79,860	410
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$79,050	120
Billings, MT	$78,350	60
New Jersey	$78,340	390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$78,340	550
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$76,760	90
Alaska	$76,080	170
Washington	$74,570	280
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$74,570	140
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$74,290	40
New York	$74,150	580
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$73,160	130
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$72,290	50
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$71,200	110
Nevada	$70,340	670
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$68,920	190
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$68,100	150
Delaware	$68,070	40
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$67,780	40
Wisconsin	$67,030	210
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$66,700	160
Colorado Springs, CO	$66,500	70
Colorado	$66,500	310
Richmond, VA	$66,180	50
Minnesota	$65,960	280
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$65,160	50
Vermont	$64,980	60
New Hampshire	$64,800	70
Birmingham, AL	$64,800	50
Oregon	$64,390	350
Salem, OR	$64,050	90
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$63,100	40
Rochester, NY	$63,040	70
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$63,020	130
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$63,010	510
Montana	$62,920	200
Syracuse, NY	$62,910	30
Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$62,740	30
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$62,740	80
Wyoming	$62,740	70
California	$62,280	1,400
Arizona nonmetropolitan area	$61,790	30
Arizona	$61,640	680
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$61,610	70
Virginia	$61,290	430

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas?

The national median annual salary for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas is $59,600, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gass earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gass is Fairbanks-College, AK, with a median salary of $92,240.

How much can an experienced Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas make?

Top-earning Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gass (90th percentile) make $87,760 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.