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Trainee Drill Rig Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Bore Rig Operator

Acampo, CA · On-site

$30 - $35/hr

Pre-drilling dutiesSite preparation: Before drilling, the operator is responsible for positioning the rig and associated equipment, such as mud pumps and generators, at the correct location. In ...

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

Driller / Drill Operator

Corona, CA

$19/hr

What You'll Do As a Driller / Drill Operator, you will operate applicable drill equipment in a safe ... drill rig and drill truck including cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. Train with trainer to ...

Schnabel

Geotechnical Driller

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$63.46 - $70/hr

... operating drill rigs proficiently. * High level of focus in a construction environment that is very busy and noisy. * Current certification for vertical and/or tieback drill rig or willing to obtain ...

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Rig Helper I

San Joaquin, CA · On-site

$17.90 - $26/hr

The Rig Helper will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling equipment ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

New

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Rig Helper I

San Joaquin, CA · On-site

$17.90 - $26/hr

The Rig Helper will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling equipment ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Rig Team Lead

Modesto, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Rig Team Lead

Elk Grove, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Rig Team Lead

Stockton, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Rig Team Lead

Guadalupe, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Rig Team Lead

Paso Robles, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Rig Team Lead

Lodi, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Rig Team Lead

Buellton, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

Rain For Rent

Rig Team Lead

Turlock, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

Rain For Rent

Rig Team Lead

Arroyo Grande, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

Rain For Rent

Rig Team Lead

Elk Grove, CA

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

Rain for Rent

Rig Team Lead

Guadalupe, CA · On-site

$25 - $31/hr

The Rig Team Lead will assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of drilling ... vehicle prior to operating the vehicle on the road or in the yard. Perform basic equipment ...

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Trainee Drill Rig Operator information

What is the difference between Trainee Drill Rig Operator vs Drilling Technician?

AspectTrainee Drill Rig OperatorDrilling Technician
CertificationsBasic safety and operation certificationsAdvanced certifications in drilling technology
Work EnvironmentOn-site at drilling locations, learning on the jobOn-site and maintenance roles, supporting drilling operations
Job FocusLearning to operate drilling equipmentMaintaining and troubleshooting drilling machinery

The main difference is that a Trainee Drill Rig Operator is in training to operate drilling equipment, focusing on learning and gaining experience. A Drilling Technician has more technical responsibilities, including maintenance and troubleshooting, often requiring additional certifications. Both roles are essential in drilling operations but differ in experience level and job focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drill Rig Operator jobs in California? The most popular types of Drill Rig Operator jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Trainee Drill Rig Operator jobs in California? For Trainee Drill Rig Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Trainee Drill Rig Operator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Trainee Drill Rig Operator jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Trainee Drill Rig Operator jobs? Cities in California with the most Trainee Drill Rig Operator job openings:
Trainee Drill Rig Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trainee Drill Rig Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Full Time, 47% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Bore Rig Operator

Maxsim Traffic Logistics

Acampo, CA • On-site

$30 - $35/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

A bore rig operator's duties include safely operating and maintaining drilling equipment to create deep, narrow holes for various purposes, including utility installation, water wells, and resource extraction. They work as part of a crew and must follow detailed project plans and strict safety protocols.Pre-drilling dutiesSite preparation: Before drilling, the operator is responsible for positioning the rig and associated equipment, such as mud pumps and generators, at the correct location. In directional drilling, they must first verify the bore path and mark all existing underground utilities to avoid accidental damage.Inspections and checks: The operator conducts pre-operation inspections to ensure all equipment is in working order. This includes verifying that all safety systems and support equipment are functioning properly.Fluid mixing: Depending on the type of drilling, the operator may need to mix drilling fluids or "mud" by adding clay and chemicals to water to achieve the right consistency. Operation dutiesEquipment operation: The operator skillfully uses levers and controls to manage the drill's speed, pressure, and direction. They monitor gauges to ensure the machine operates within safe and optimal parameters.Collaboration: They work with a crew and may direct their activities, such as connecting drill pipes and assembling rig components.Sampling and analysis: In water well or geotechnical drilling, the operator may collect and log core samples to determine the nature of the rock and soil strata being drilled.Problem-solving: The operator must troubleshoot issues during drilling, including addressing geological obstacles and retrieving lost or broken bits and pipes.Directional steering: For directional boring projects, the operator uses specialized equipment to precisely guide the drill head along the planned underground path. Post-drilling and maintenance dutiesData recording: The operator is responsible for maintaining accurate records of the drilling process, including footage drilled, materials used, and geological data.Equipment maintenance: Regular and preventative maintenance is a key duty. This includes cleaning, greasing, and repairing equipment to ensure it performs correctly.Well completion: For water wells, the operator installs the well casing, necessary hardware, and the pump to prepare the well for use.Site cleanup: After the job is complete, the operator and crew clean and restore the site, which may include plugging observation wells.