Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas score 0 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #876 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 15 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 0 on its own and 0 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

0/ 100

Low

Rank: #876of 923 jobs
US workers: 10,590BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $58,620a year
In real AI use: 0 of 15tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 0 (0%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 0 (0%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 15 (100%)

Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
String cables through pulleys and blocks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about derrick operators, oil and gas and AI

Will AI replace derrick operators, oil and gas?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas score 0 out of 100 (low exposure), #876 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 0 of the job's 15 tasks, 0 of them on its own, while 15 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which derrick operators, oil and gas tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered"; "Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions"; "Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as derrick operators, oil and gas, and what do they earn?

About 10,590 people in the US, with median pay of $58,620 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Task by task

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Questions about derrick operators, oil and gas and AI

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