Jobs Similar to Rotary Drill Operators
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to rotary drill operators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Derrick Operators, Dredge Operators and Rock Splitters.
Rotary Drill Operators: $67,890 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
82% similar · $58,620 (−14%) · High school · Same group
- 2Dredge Operators
79% similar · $49,640 (−27%) · High school
- 3Rock Splitters, Quarry
79% similar · $48,740 (−28%) · High school · Same group
- 4Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
79% similar · $58,160 (−14%) · High school · Same group
- 5Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
78% similar · $74,500 (+10%) · High school · Same group
- 6Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
78% similar · $57,430 (−15%) · High school · Same group
- 7Helpers--Extraction Workers
78% similar · $47,730 (−30%) · High school · Same group
- 8Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
78% similar · $61,290 (−10%) · High school
- 9Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
78% similar · $54,430 (−20%) · High school
- 10Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
77% similar · $60,190 (−11%) · High school · Same group
- 11Hoist and Winch Operators
77% similar · $56,450 (−17%) · High school
- 12Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $43,960 (−35%) · High school
- 13Roof Bolters, Mining
77% similar · $78,540 (+16%) · High school · Same group
- 14Recycling and Reclamation Workers
77% similar · $40,240 (broader group) · High school
- 15Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
77% similar · $43,220 (−36%) · High school
- 16Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
76% similar · $51,330 (−24%) · High school
- 17Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
76% similar · $46,960 (−31%) · High school · Same group
- 18Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
76% similar · $46,170 (−32%) · High school
- 19Continuous Mining Machine Operators
76% similar · $61,810 (−9%) · High school · Same group
- 20Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
76% similar · $96,710 (+42%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than rotary drill operators.
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for rotary drill operators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where rotary drill operators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Dredge Operators (89)
- Wellhead Pumpers (84)
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators (80)
- Commercial Divers (79)
- Sailors and Marine Oilers (79)
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons (78)
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (78)
- Hoist and Winch Operators (77)
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers (76)
- Pile Driver Operators (75)
Questions about jobs like rotary drill operators
What jobs are most similar to rotary drill operators?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Derrick Operators (82% similar), Dredge Operators (79% similar), Rock Splitters (79% similar), Service Unit Operators (79% similar) and Loading and Moving Machine Operators (78% similar).
Which jobs like rotary drill operators pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers ($96,710, +42%; usually a high school diploma), Roof Bolters ($78,540, +16%; usually a high school diploma) and Loading and Moving Machine Operators ($74,500, +10%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with rotary drill operators ($67,890). Without more preparation than rotary drill operators usually need: Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers, Roof Bolters and Loading and Moving Machine Operators.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.