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Occupation · SOC 47-5023

Earth Drillers, except Oil and Gas

There are 19,450 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $60,190 a year. The most jobs are in Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZ.

Construction & ExtractionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
19,450
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$60,190
Median pay a year
Middle half: $49,900–$72,450
1,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.6%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 79 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $58,750 · LCA filings 0650$58,7500
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $74,120 · LCA filings 0530$74,1200
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $57,970 · LCA filings 0440$57,9700
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $60,670 · LCA filings 0420$60,6700
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $51,630 · LCA filings 0390$51,6300
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $51,360 · LCA filings 0350$51,3600
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $64,360 · LCA filings 0240$64,3600
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $62,790 · LCA filings 0240$62,7900
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLMedian pay $55,610 · LCA filings 0230$55,6100
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $81,960 · LCA filings 0220$81,9600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$94,600600
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$89,300900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 220 · LCA filings 0$81,9602200
Billings, MTEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$78,410400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$76,8501200

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $57,616 · Level III $62,733 · Level IV $67,870$52,478$57,616$62,733$67,870
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $66,310 · Level III $76,482 · Level IV $86,653$56,139$66,310$76,482$86,653
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $51,314 · Level III $59,030 · Level IV $66,726$43,618$51,314$59,030$66,726
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $52,645 · Level III $61,443 · Level IV $70,242$43,846$52,645$61,443$70,242
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $50,440 · Level III $56,493 · Level IV $62,566$44,366$50,440$56,493$62,566
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $47,216 · Level III $52,333 · Level IV $57,429$42,120$47,216$52,333$57,429
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $58,198 · Level III $67,600 · Level IV $76,981$48,818$58,198$67,600$76,981
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $59,509 · Level III $67,413 · Level IV $75,296$51,626$59,509$67,413$75,296
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLLevel II $49,317 · Level III $54,080 · Level IV $58,843$44,554$49,317$54,080$58,843
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $73,174 · Level III $85,010 · Level IV $96,866$61,318$73,174$85,010$96,866

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Plumbing and Related Water Supply ServicesCIP 46.05OPT · up to 12 months11OPT · up to 12 months

See Earth Drillers, except Oil and Gas in every metro area

All 79 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

Construction LaborersElectriciansFirst-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersCarpentersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsPainters, Construction and MaintenanceConstruction and Building Inspectors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology