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Drill Rig Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Materials Testing Consultants

Driller's Assistant

Rockford, MI · On-site

$20.50 - $27.75/hr

They are responsible for a variety of field centric duties including, driving the drill rig or semi-truck and trailer, which requires Class A CDL with air brake endorsement, maintaining the drill ...

Dyno Nobel

Driller / Drill Operator

Corona, CA · On-site

$19/hr

Job Brief Operate applicable drill equipment in a safe, reliable, timely and professional manner. Assist the operator in the safe operation of the drill rig and drill truck. The pay for this role is ...

Dyno Nobel

Drill Operator

Victorville, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Job Brief Operate applicable drill equipment in a safe, reliable, timely and professional manner. Assist the operator in the safe operation of the drill rig and drill truck. The pay for this role is ...

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Drill Rig information

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$13

$27

$51

How much do drill rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for drill rig in the United States is $27.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges faced by a drill rig operator and how can they be managed effectively?

Drill rig operators often encounter challenges such as working in extreme weather conditions, managing equipment malfunctions, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. Effective communication with team members and regular preventive maintenance are crucial to minimize downtime and operational hazards. Operators also need to stay updated on the latest industry practices and safety standards to ensure efficient and safe drilling operations.

What is a drill rig?

A drill rig is a machine used to create holes in the ground, typically for the purposes of extracting natural resources such as oil, gas, or minerals, or for construction and engineering projects. Drill rigs come in various sizes and types, ranging from small, portable rigs to large, complex structures used for deep drilling operations. They can be operated on land or offshore and are an essential part of the drilling industry. The main components of a drill rig include the derrick or mast, drill string, power systems, and circulation systems. Proper operation and maintenance of drill rigs are critical for safety and efficiency on drilling sites.

What is the difference between Drill Rig vs Drilling Operator?

AspectDrill RigDrilling Operator
Primary RoleEquipment used to perform drilling operationsOperates and maintains the drill rig during drilling
CredentialsTypically no specific certification; technical training requiredRequires certifications like Well Control or OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, oil & gas fields, mining locationsOn-site with drill rig, often in remote locations
Industry UsageUsed across oil & gas, mining, constructionCommonly employed in oil & gas, mineral exploration

The Drill Rig is the equipment used to perform drilling tasks, while the Drilling Operator is the skilled worker who operates and manages the drill rig during operations. Both roles are essential in drilling projects, with the rig serving as the tool and the operator as the skilled technician ensuring safe and efficient drilling.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drill Rig Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drill Rig Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, understanding of drilling techniques, and often a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional vocational training preferred. Familiarity with drilling machinery, safety protocols, and sometimes certifications such as OSHA or MSHA are typically required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient drilling operations and help prevent costly errors or accidents on site.
More about Drill Rig jobs
What cities are hiring for Drill Rig jobs? Cities with the most Drill Rig job openings:
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Drill Rig jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drill Rig job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,917 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Horizontal Directional Drill Operator

Quality Enterprises USA, Inc.

Orlando, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

NOTE: To be considered for this role, you must be eligible to work in the USA without sponsorship.

Please complete the application in its entirety and submit a resume, if available.

This position requires travel and extended stays at job locations.

Position Description

Earth View LLC is looking for a Horizontal Directional Drill Operator to join our team. The Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Operator's primary responsibility is to safely and efficiently operate HDD rigs and other drilling equipment.

Benefits

  • Competitive Pay
  • Paid Holidays & PTO
  • Medical and Dental Insurance
  • Vision, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospitalization Insurance Options
  • Short-Term Disability (Company-Paid)
  • Life Insurance (Company-Paid)
  • Additional Voluntary Life Insurance Options
  • 401K with company contribution match
  • Career Advancement Opportunities
  • Positive Work Environment

Position Requirements

Essential Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Assist with preparing job site and HDD equipment so that drilling can be performed safely.
  • Efficiently and safely operate an AA440 drill rig (or larger drill rig) in accordance with company and industry standards.
  • Perform routine labor (i.e. potholing, equipment set-up, conduit/duct/cable placement) as required.
  • Ensure that all the utilities located in the construction path have been potholed.
  • Review and evaluate directional drill plans; determine the optimal drilling parameters needed to comply with plans.
  • Report any anomalies detected during drilling to the superintendent; evaluate contingency plans.
  • Inspect drill and tools before use.
  • Monitor equipment while in operation.
  • Comply with all OSHA standards and Company safety policies.
  • Assist job crew with other duties when not actively drilling.
  • Assist with keeping job site safe, organized, and clean, free of trash or debris.

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in construction management or similar field preferred.
  • 2+ years' experience operating an AA440 or larger drill rig required; combination of work experience with technical training in an industry-related trade program will be considered.
  • Ability to read and understand project technical drawings and diagrams.
  • Ability to work independently with little supervision while adding to a safe and positive team environment.
  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to stand, walk, or sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb, balance, or stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
  • Must be able to move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Work is primarily performed outdoors in variable weather and lighting conditions, including extreme heat and humidity.
  • Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
  • This position requires travel and extended stays at job locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Quality Enterprises USA, Inc. (QE) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.