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Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas Salary in Houston, TX

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in Houston, TX have a median annual salary of $57,970, with 440 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $40,410 at the 10th percentile to $80,170 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$57,970

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$27.87

Employment

440

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$40,410
10th
$48,710
25th
$57,970
Median
$63,290
75th
$80,170
90th

Local compared with national

Houston, TX

$57,970

Median annual · 2025

United States

$60,190

Median annual · 2025

The Houston, TX median is 3.7% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,220).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.9
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.3
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  7. 7.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Equipment SelectionImportance 3.0
  11. 11.TroubleshootingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word

Common tasks

  • Operate controls to stabilize machines and to position and align drills.
  • Start, stop, and control drilling speed of machines and insertion of casings into holes.
  • Regulate air pressure, rotary speed, and downward pressure, according to the type of rock or concrete being drilled.
  • Select and attach drill bits and drill rods, adding more rods as hole depths increase, and changing drill bits as needed.
  • Drive or guide truck-mounted equipment into position, level and stabilize rigs, and extend telescoping derricks.
  • Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
  • Verify depths and alignments of boring positions.
  • Perform routine maintenance and upgrade work on machines and equipment, such as replacing parts, building up drill bits, and lubricating machinery.
  • Select the appropriate drill for the job, using knowledge of rock or soil conditions.
  • Document geological formations encountered during work.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary in other locations

Other occupations in Houston, TX