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The AI Resilience Report helps you understand how AI is likely to impact your current or future career. Drawing on data from over 1,500 occupations, it provides a clear snapshot to support informed career decisions.
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Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 4/23/2026
Your role’s AI Resilience Score is
44.7%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Low
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
There are a reasonable number of sources for this result, but there is some disagreement between them.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forEarth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas are somewhat less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 5 sources.
Earth drilling careers are labeled as "Somewhat Resilient" because while automation is helping with repetitive tasks like operating drills and logging data, many essential tasks still need human skills. Setting up equipment, fixing tools, and making decisions based on rock conditions require human judgment and problem-solving.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreThis role is somewhat resilient
Earth drilling careers are labeled as "Somewhat Resilient" because while automation is helping with repetitive tasks like operating drills and logging data, many essential tasks still need human skills. Setting up equipment, fixing tools, and making decisions based on rock conditions require human judgment and problem-solving.
Read full analysisAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas
Updated Quarterly • Last Update: 2/17/2026
How is AI changing Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas jobs?
In drilling (outside oil/gas), machines already do much of the heavy work, and some steps are automated. For example, modern exploration and quarry drills often use remote controls and automated systems to add drill rods and regulate speed [1] [2]. Sensors on rigs automatically record depth, pressure and torque so data collection needs less manual logging [3] [4].
Some companies even use robots like MEDATech’s “RodBot” to handle heavy drill rods that workers used to lift by hand [5].
However, many tasks still rely on people. Tasks like setting up drill parts, fixing broken tools, or pulling stuck drill bits generally require human skill because construction sites and rock conditions are unpredictable [1] [5]. There are radio-remote drill rigs (for example Epiroc’s SmartROC series) that let an operator work from a safe distance [5], but a person is still needed to steer and make decisions.
In short, AI and automation today help with the repetitive parts (driving the rig, adding pipes, logging data), but hands-on tasks and tricky problem-solving still need a human operator [1] [2].
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas?
- Technology readiness and cost. Few off-the-shelf “drilling AI” tools exist. New automated rigs and sensors (like self-leveling controls or rod loaders) come from specialized manufacturers [1] [2]. These machines can be very expensive (often hundreds of thousands or millions), so companies only upgrade when the benefits outweigh the costs.
Overall, AI is slowly entering earth drilling. Some repetitive steps are now made easier with automation, but most earth drilling jobs still need human hands and brains. In a positive light, this means drillers’ skills – like reading the rock, solving problems, and ensuring safety – remain very important, even as technology improves.
Sources
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More Career Info
Career: Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
They operate machines to drill into the ground for water, minerals, or construction, ensuring everything is safe and runs smoothly.
Parent Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$59,600
Jobs (2024)
18,300
Growth (2024-34)
+2.9%
Annual Openings
1,700
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
Less than 5 years
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Pour water into wells, or pump water or slush into wells to cool drill bits and to remove drillings.
2
Review client requirements and proposed locations for drilling operations to determine feasibility, and to determine cost estimates.
3
Drive trucks, tractors, or truck-mounted drills to and from work sites.
4
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.
5
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
6
Disinfect, reconstruct, and redevelop contaminated wells and water pumping systems, and clean and disinfect new wells in preparation for use.
7
Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
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