In 2021, the average annual wage in Alabama was $47,360 with most people making between $29,290 and $77,000.
Wages by Industry
Support Activities for Mining $41,120.00
Oil and Gas Extraction $47,920.00
Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing $76,300.00
Education Required
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Common Majors
Mining Technology/Technician
About the job
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. May also perform similar services in mining exploration operations. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
What you'll do
Apply green technologies or techniques such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems.
Close and seal wells no longer in use.
Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.
Examine unserviceable wells to determine actions to be taken to improve well conditions.
Insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions.
Monitor sound wave generating or detecting mechanisms to determine well fluid levels.
Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing-off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action.
Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges.
Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe.
Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
Things you need to know
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities you'll need to have
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.