Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Earth drillers, except oil and gas, work in a specialized trade with a defined national footprint and clear entry standards. With national employment around 18,000 workers and a projected employment growth of 2.9%, this field offers a blend of stability and modest expansion. The national median annual salary of $59,600 places this occupation in a solid earning range, with some locations offering significantly higher pay. Career opportunities vary by region, with certain states and metro areas standing out for both compensation and overall opportunity scores. The work relies on a mix of mechanical ability, physical strength and stamina, and careful attention to detail, supported by problem solving, science, and mathematics skills. For individuals interested in hands-on, mechanically focused work who have or can develop leadership, project management, and creativity and innovation skills, this career can provide a structured path for long-term employment and advancement. Similar careers to consider include rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators, extraction workers, logging workers, machinery maintenance workers, and excavating and loading machine operators in surface mining.
Earnings for earth drillers, except oil and gas, are anchored by a national median annual salary of $59,600, with considerable variation by state and metro area. Among the top states, median salaries range from $60,860 in New York to $80,490 in Washington, indicating that geographic choice can significantly affect pay. California and Massachusetts also offer median salaries above $64,000, while Colorado falls in a similar range. At the metro level, pay can be even higher: the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area has a median salary of $89,300, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont offers $76,850. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro shows a median of $74,120, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton offers $73,090. These figures suggest that, while the national median is solid, targeting high-opportunity metros and states can improve earning potential for experienced or mobile workers.
The employment outlook for earth drillers, except oil and gas, reflects moderate growth and a continuing need for new workers. National employment stands at about 18,000, with projected employment growth of 2.9%. This growth rate is consistent across the highlighted top states and metro areas, all of which also show a 2.9% growth projection. With approximately 2,000 annual openings nationwide, there is a recurring flow of job opportunities, which can support both new entrants and experienced workers seeking new positions. The combination of steady employment, modest projected growth, and recurring openings suggests that this occupation is likely to remain a viable option over the coming years. Individuals considering this field can factor in both the overall national demand and the specific opportunities in states and metros with higher opportunity scores and employment counts.
Location choice plays a major role in opportunities for earth drillers, except oil and gas. Among states, California stands out with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $66,910, and employment of 1,630, indicating both relatively strong pay and a larger workforce. Massachusetts and New York also show high opportunity scores, at 65.87 and 65.78 respectively, with median salaries above $60,000, though Massachusetts has a smaller employment base than New York. Colorado and Washington offer opportunity scores in the mid-50s, but Washington combines this with the highest listed state median salary of $80,490. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area has the highest opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $74,120, making it a particularly notable market. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, while having a somewhat lower opportunity score, lists the highest metro median salary at $89,300, offering strong earning potential for those focusing on that region.
Earth drillers, except oil and gas, typically enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent, making the occupation accessible without a college degree. However, success in this career relies on a substantial skills profile. Mechanical skills and fine motor abilities are central, reflecting the hands-on nature of the work. Physical strength and stamina are also important, alongside being detail oriented to support accuracy and safety. Science and mathematics skills contribute to understanding and performing the technical aspects of drilling. Problem solving and decision making help workers respond to challenges in real time, while project management and leadership skills are valuable for coordinating tasks and guiding teams. Creativity and innovation can support improvements in methods and processes. Altogether, while the formal education requirement is relatively modest, developing this mix of technical, physical, and organizational skills is key to long-term growth and opportunity in the occupation.
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