Water Well Drillers

(NOC 7373)

in All Trades and Transportation

Water well drillers use a variety of mobile water well drilling rigs and equipment to drill and monitor residential, commercial, and industrial water wells. They work for water well drilling contractors and governments, or they may be self-employed. Water well drillers may specialize in a drilling method like cable, rotary, auger, hammer, or reverse circulation drilling.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Water well drillers use a variety of mobile water well drilling rigs and equipment to drill and monitor residential, commercial, and industrial water wells. They work for water well drilling contractors and governments, or they may be self-employed. Water well drillers may specialize in a drilling method like cable, rotary, auger, hammer, or reverse circulation drilling.

Job duties

Water well drillers:

  • Review client requirements and proposed locations for water wells.
  • Use water well drilling rigs and other equipment to drill, bore and dig for residential, commercial, and industrial water wells or environmental assessment, and install well screens, casings, and other well fixtures.
  • Document geological formations encountered.
  • Clean and disinfect wells in preparation for use.
  • Complete routine mechanical maintenance work on water well drilling rigs and equipment.
  • Install, test, maintain and repair water well pumps, piping systems and equipment and perform pumping tests to assess well performance.
  • May provide other drilling services like repair or dismantling of existing water well structure, elevator shaft drilling and hydro pole drilling.

Sample job titles

  • apprentice water well driller
  • journeyperson water well driller
  • pump installer
  • water well driller
  • well digger/driller

Skills

  • You should have good physical strength, stamina, and health. The ability to follow precise instructions and obey safety regulations is essential. You must be cautious, responsible, and able to work as a member of a team. A mechanical aptitude and an ability to use tools would be helpful.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • A two-to-three-year water well drilling apprenticeship program or two to three years of work experience in the trade combined with college or industry courses in water well drilling is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.

Other considerations

  • Mobility is possible among the various well drilling operators in this group. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

< 50

employed in 2016

66.7%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

0.0%
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100%
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61.8

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
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94.7%
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46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

50.0%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
50.0%

North Shore

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

100.0%

Construction

What is the age of Employment?

50.0%

55-64

50.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

66.7%

Less than high school

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Pump Installer

Compulsory Certification (Mandatory): This is a regulated designated trade in Nova Scotia. Individuals must hold a Certification of Qualification, be a registered apprentice, or hold a temporary work permit to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change
Halifax, NS
Well Digger/Driller

Compulsory Certification (Mandatory): This is a regulated designated trade in Nova Scotia. Individuals must hold a Certification of Qualification, be a registered apprentice, or hold a temporary work permit to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Nova Scotia Ground Water Association
East Jeddore, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.