Energy & Utilities career

Water Well Driller

Also called: Earth Driller · Geotechnical Driller · Environmental Driller · Drill Rig Operator

What water well drillers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a water well driller do?

Earth drillers, except oil and gas, operate drills to make holes for water wells, geothermal systems, environmental monitoring, soil and rock sampling, and construction. The median pay is $60,190 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 years, and employment is projected to grow +3.6% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $60,190
    $28.94/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.6%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    1,400
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–3 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    19,500
    Employment, 2025

What water well drillers do

Water well drillers bring water to homes, farms and communities. They set up drill rigs, drill through soil and rock, install casing, screens and pumps, develop and test wells, and keep records required by states. Related drillers bore for geothermal heat pumps, environmental monitoring wells, soil samples for construction and blasting holes.

Most drillers have a high school diploma and a few years of experience, plus long on-the-job training. Many states license water well drillers.

Typical duties

  • Set up and operate drill rigs
  • Drill through soil and rock
  • Install casing and screens
  • Install pumps and pressure tanks
  • Develop and test wells
  • Collect soil and rock samples
  • Maintain rigs and keep well records

Work environment and schedule

Drillers work outdoors at homes, farms, construction and environmental sites, often driving between locations.

Schedule: Most work full-time with long days in good weather and some travel.

A day in the life

  1. Inspect the rig and load casing.
  2. Drive to a rural home site.
  3. Set up the rig and level it.
  4. Drill through clay into bedrock.

See a full day in the life of a water well driller →

Water Well Driller salary

Half of water well drillers earned more than $60,190 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $44,460 for the lowest 10% to $83,800 for the top 10%.

Full water well driller pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a water well driller

  1. Get hired as a driller’s helper
  2. Earn a CDL
  3. Learn geology and well construction
  4. Earn a license
  5. Advance

A high school diploma and a few years of experience are typical, plus long on-the-job training. Many states license drillers.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a water well driller →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Drill rig operation
  • Geology basics
  • Casing and grouting
  • Pump installation
  • Water testing

People skills

  • Problem solving
  • Independence
  • Customer service
  • Reliability

All water well driller skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Provide clean water
  • Outdoor variety
  • Good pay with experience
  • Licensable skill

Cons

  • Physically demanding
  • Weather and mud
  • Travel
  • Rig hazards

Certifications and licenses

  • State water well driller license: Required in many states.
  • NGWA Certified Well Driller: National Ground Water Association credential.
  • CDL: For rig and support trucks.
  • IGSHPA geothermal driller: Geothermal credential.

Career path

  1. Driller’s Helper: Learn the rig.
  2. Driller: Run rigs.
  3. Lead or Master Driller: Lead crews.
  4. Drilling Business Owner: Run a company.

Learn the job before day one

Our Water Well Driller training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as log a well while drilling and grout a well casing, safety and how to land your first job.

View Water Well Driller trainingIs this career right for me?

Rotary Drill Operator

Run the drilling rig and lead the floor crew drilling oil and gas wells.

  • $67,890
  • Under 5 years of rig experience

Heavy Equipment Operator

Operate excavators, dozers, loaders and graders to move earth and build infrastructure.

  • $59,850
  • Months to 4 years

Plumber

Install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.

  • $63,800
  • 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)

Compare: Water Well Driller vs. Rotary Drill Operator · Water Well Driller vs. Heavy Equipment Operator · Water Well Driller vs. Plumber · Water Well Driller vs. Mining Machine Operator

Water Well Driller FAQ

Do water well drillers need a license?

Many states require one.

Do drillers need a degree?

No, training is on the job.

Is geothermal drilling growing?

Geothermal heat pumps are creating more drilling work in some regions.

How much does a water well driller make?

The median annual wage for water well drillers was $60,190 ($28.94 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,460 and the highest 10% earned more than $83,800.

How long does it take to become a water well driller?

Most people need about 1–3 years of training. A high school diploma and a few years of experience are typical, plus long on-the-job training. Many states license drillers.

Do you need a degree to be a water well driller?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More water well driller questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz