AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 47-5012.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?

Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.

Estimated AI task exposure
19%

Low exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

21 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

26/100

Physical moat

47/100

Human moat

19/100

Rating coverage

100%

21 task statements / 21 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
Importance 94/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 88/100Weight 0.92
Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
Importance 94/100Relevance 95/100Frequency 78/100Weight 0.90
Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
Importance 90/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 75/100Weight 0.90
Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
Importance 91/100Relevance 95/100Frequency 80/100Weight 0.90
Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
Importance 90/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.89
Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
Importance 92/100Relevance 87/100Frequency 87/100Weight 0.89
Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
Importance 94/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 70/100Weight 0.87
Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
Importance 88/100Relevance 90/100Frequency 73/100Weight 0.85
Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
Importance 86/100Relevance 89/100Frequency 72/100Weight 0.84
Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.
Importance 86/100Relevance 91/100Frequency 63/100Weight 0.82

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$67,890

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

12,600

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+0.8%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

1

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Millwrights

5%

14 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

Median wage: $65,700 Growth 2025–2035: +0.9% Annual openings: 3

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

6%

13 points lower exposure • 92% profile similarity

Median wage: $57,020 Growth 2025–2035: +1.6% Annual openings: 14

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

7%

12 points lower exposure • 93% profile similarity

Median wage: $59,850 Growth 2025–2035: +4.6% Annual openings: 39

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

5%

14 points lower exposure • 88% profile similarity

Median wage: $47,880 Growth 2025–2035: +2.3% Annual openings: 4

more physical-world work
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Tree Trimmers and Pruners

5%

14 points lower exposure • 91% profile similarity

Median wage: $50,960 Growth 2025–2035: +4.2% Annual openings: 8

more physical-world work, lower AI leverage
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Butchers and Meat Cutters

5%

14 points lower exposure • 86% profile similarity

Median wage: $40,140 Growth 2025–2035: +2.4% Annual openings: 15

stronger human/judgment moat, more physical-world work

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

    AUGMENT

    • administrative support tasks
    • planning and documentation

    PROTECT

      LEARN

      • basic AI literacy

      AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

      What this score does not mean

      The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

      New in V11

      Find a Safer Career Path

      High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

      EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
      I am your guide.
      Knowledge is your strongest upgrade.