As of June 2026, Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas has an AI-exposure score of 42/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

42/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 14% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$58,620. About 1,000 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How this role compares to similar Construction roles

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas (this role)
42
Floor Sanders and Finishers
42
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
42
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
42
Helpers--Extraction Workers
43
Boilermakers
43
See all roles by exposure →
Data sources, not endorsements: O*NET task data, BLS employment/pay/demand, and Anthropic Economic Index signals.Methodology Data sources
Role snapshot

What this role usually involves

O*NET 29.1 exact occupation

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

Common titles
Derrick HandDerrick ManDerrick OperatorFloor HandDerrick Worker
Typical preparation
Little or No Preparation Needed: Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.
Skills and knowledge
Operation and ControlCritical ThinkingMonitoringSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision Making
Tools and technology
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordAdjustable wrenchesAir hoistsBalance beam scales
Work context
Frequent contact with othersFace-to-face discussionsRepeating tasksDecision latitudeTelephone

Source: O*NET 29.1 exact occupation - Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas, SOC 47-5011.00. Context describes the role; the AI-exposure score remains a separate task-exposure estimate.

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Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (60%).

Augmentable
  • Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
  • Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
7 more augmentable tasks locked in the report.
Durable
  • Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
  • Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
4 more durable tasks locked in the report.

We analyzed all 15 Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas tasks — 9 augmentable and 6 durable. The full task map — every task with exactly what to do about each — is in your Career Report.

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5-10 adjacent roles with salary, demand, and reachability.

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Safer adjacent roles

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$67,890
48
7 more safer roles with salary, demand & a reachability map — in your Career Report.
AI-augmentation kit (prompt preview) You are my AI copilot for "Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.". I'll paste the inputs; draft the first version and flag exactly what needs my judgment, then iterate until…
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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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