Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas earn a median $58,620 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What derrick operators, oil and gas do
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.6% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 900
Employment of derrick operators, oil and gas is projected to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,854
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,634
- Medicare (1.45%)$850
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,281
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,380 | $20.86 | $37,036 |
| 25th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 | $42,259 |
| Median (50th) | $58,620 | $28.18 | $49,281 |
| 75th percentile | $71,610 | $34.43 | $59,208 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,800 | $39.33 | $66,376 |
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 | +3.0% | $67,797 | $45,770 – $98,840 | 890 |
| Alaska | $78,050 | −3.9% | $63,738 | $62,400 – $93,490 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 | +23.0% | $62,824 | $63,400 – $83,990 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 | +2.9% | $59,235 | $63,380 – $80,040 | 490 |
| Florida | $64,950 | +1.0% | $54,367 | $49,420 – $81,390 | 60 |
| Colorado | $64,730 | +5.5% | $52,051 | $47,450 – $79,330 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 | +5.0% | $48,332 | $56,330 – $59,720 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 | −1.0% | $48,410 | $31,670 – $74,800 | 880 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 | +6.8% | $46,923 | $48,960 – $68,640 | 580 |
| Utah | $56,980 | — | $46,365 | $54,640 – $78,940 | 80 |
| Texas | $56,100 | −8.9% | $47,256 | $43,840 – $74,690 | 5,810 |
| California | $55,480 | −17.3% | $44,659 | $52,760 – $71,470 | — |
| Ohio | $50,650 | +1.9% | $42,267 | $39,610 – $63,180 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $50,640 | −12.1% | $41,320 | $47,660 – $72,800 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 | −0.4% | $40,671 | $48,820 – $61,450 | 50 |
| Alabama | $49,350 | — | $39,630 | $36,260 – $61,950 | — |
| Mississippi | $47,340 | −1.5% | $39,056 | $37,340 – $77,760 | 200 |
| Illinois | $45,900 | — | $36,933 | $31,690 – $55,180 | — |
| Michigan | $45,180 | −0.2% | $36,813 | $44,620 – $59,560 | 40 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 | No formal educational credential | +1.1% |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | No formal educational credential | +0.8% |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.0% |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $61,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | 0.0% |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $61,810 | No formal educational credential | +3.2% |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $48,740 | No formal educational credential | +5.8% |
| Helpers--Extraction Worker | $47,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.7% |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $70,130 | No formal educational credential | -1.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a derrick operators, oil and gas make?
The national median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas is $58,620 a year ($28.18 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,380 and the top 10% earn over $81,800. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays derrick operators, oil and gas the most?
Louisiana has the highest median pay at $86,980.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas are there in the U.S.?
About 10,590 people work as derrick operators, oil and gas nationwide.