Somewhat Resilient
Last Update: 7/31/2026
AI Resilience Score for Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas:
49.7%
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
$60,190 median salary•1,700 annual openings•SOC Code: 47-5023.00
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 is "Somewhat Resilient" because AI and robotics are already making real changes to parts of this job, especially in repetitive, predictable settings like data centers and large mines, where automated rigs can now drill anchor holes in a fraction of the time and at a third of the cost. That said, a lot of drilling work still happens in unpredictable outdoor environments where human judgment, troubleshooting, and hands-on problem solving are hard to replace, especially for water wells and smaller construction crews.
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Earth drilling is "Somewhat Resilient" because AI and robotics are already making real changes to parts of this job, especially in repetitive, predictable settings like data centers and large mines, where automated rigs can now drill anchor holes in a fraction of the time and at a third of the cost. That said, a lot of drilling work still happens in unpredictable outdoor environments where human judgment, troubleshooting, and hands-on problem solving are hard to replace, especially for water wells and smaller construction crews.
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Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas jobs?
Right now, AI is mostly augmenting earth drillers rather than replacing them, but the technology is moving fast in 2026. In construction drilling, DEWALT and August Robotics rolled out the world's first downward-drilling, fleet-capable robot in January 2026 [1], which mounts an industrial drill on an autonomous mobile robot to drill anchor holes for data center server racks. The companies report that the system compresses the data center floor prep schedule from eight to nine weeks of layout plus drilling down to about seven to nine days with four robots, and that the joint offering has already generated 21,000 hours of labor capacity in the first six months.
In mining and mineral exploration, automation is even further along. A May 2026 industry report describes how Epiroc's new surface drill rig integrates a rig control system that enables onboard automation solutions and automated rod handling to reduce manual intervention [2] during drilling. A March 2026 academic review in Geosciences surveys how autonomous drilling technologies are advancing for critical mineral exploration [3], combining robotics with AI-driven geology models.
Decision-making is being augmented too. According to Drilling Contractor magazine, an AI-native real-time operating center launched in 2025 uses an "agentic" AI system that pulls live well data to enable autonomous decision making and execution of complex tasks [4] — basically helping human drillers spot problems faster. The IADC has even started briefing student drillers on "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Industry" at its 2026 international conference [5], showing how seriously the trade group takes the shift.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas?
Adoption is happening fastest where projects are repetitive, indoor, and well-mapped (like data center floors) or remote and dangerous (like open-pit mines). The DEWALT system claims a cost-per-hole drop from more than $60 to around $20 [1], and those economics are hard to ignore. A serious labor crunch helps too — Construction Dive reports the industry still needs about 350,000 additional workers in 2026 [6] — so contractors are looking at robots as a way to fill gaps, not just cut payroll.
Adoption will likely be slower for water-well drillers and small construction crews. Jobs are highly variable, sites are unpredictable, and machines still cost more than a single skilled operator can earn in a year. Safety rules, permitting, and customer trust also move slowly in groundwater work.
The good news for young people: tasks like retrieving stuck equipment, troubleshooting weird ground conditions, maintaining rigs, and driving trucks to remote sites still need human judgment and hands. Drillers who learn to work with AI dashboards, robotic rigs, and data tools will be the most valuable hires in the next decade.
Sources
Will AI replace Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas?
Not entirely. We think AI will take over some tasks, but not the whole job.
Earth drilling scores a 49.7% AI Resilience Score, which puts it in a real zone of change. Automation is already moving fast in predictable, controlled settings. The DEWALT and August Robotics system, for example, compresses data center floor prep from weeks down to days using autonomous drilling robots [1], and the economics are hard to ignore. Epiroc's new rigs are reducing manual intervention in mining through onboard automation [2]. These shifts are real, and the long-term job market outlook is soft.
But a lot of this work stays human. Water-well drilling, unpredictable ground conditions, stuck equipment, remote sites, and rig maintenance all still need judgment and hands that robots handle poorly. The industry also faces a serious labor shortage, with roughly 350,000 additional workers still needed in 2026 [6], so robots are filling gaps more than cutting headcount right now.
We believe the drillers with the strongest futures will be the ones who learn to work alongside AI dashboards and automated rigs rather than against them. The trade group IADC is already briefing new drillers on AI's industry impact [5], which tells you where the profession is heading. The job is evolving, not disappearing.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Earth Drillers, Non-Oil/Gas
These articles highlight how AI is transforming the drilling industry, which is relevant for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas. For instance, AI is streamlining drilling processes, as seen in bp's use of technology to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the application of AI in drilling and completion can lead to cost reductions and improved performance. While there are risks of automation, understanding these advancements can help students adapt and thrive in their careers, ensuring they remain resilient in an evolving job landscape.
Will AI Replace Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas? Risk Score: 58 ...
www.aiexposure.org • 7/20/2026
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas scored 58/100 for AI automation risk. 17410 Americans hold this job. See what's at stake and how to protect your career.
AI in Oil and Gas: The Real Use Cases That Are Actually ...
www.linkedin.com • 7/20/2026
The most impactful AI use cases in upstream oil and gas include seismic data interpretation, real-time drilling optimization, and automated ... Read more
Application of Artificial Intelligence in Drilling and Completion
www.intechopen.com • 7/20/2026
by H Yang · 2023 · Cited by 11 — In drilling and completion engineering, AI is considered a revolutionary technology that can reduce costs and significantly improve drilling efficiency (DE). In ... Read more
5 ways bp uses AI and other tech to drive performance | News and stories | bp America
www.bp.com • 10/6/2025
bp is harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovative technologies to enhance performance across its US operations.
U.S. oil companies use AI for faster shale drilling to mitigate OPEC production cuts
www.worldoil.com • 3/14/2024
Advanced AI is gaining a foothold in the oil field as drillers and producers are relentlessly focused on improving efficiency.
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
$60,190
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.
