Roustabouts, Oil and Gas Salary
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas earn a median $46,960 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What roustabouts, oil and gas do
Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.6% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 4,100
Employment of roustabouts, oil and gas is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,100 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.
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,455
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,912
- Medicare (1.45%)$681
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,912
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,420 | $17.51 | $31,443 |
| 25th percentile | $38,850 | $18.68 | $33,396 |
| Median (50th) | $46,960 | $22.58 | $39,912 |
| 75th percentile | $58,120 | $27.94 | $48,879 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,530 | $31.02 | $54,030 |
Best cities for roustabouts, oil and gas (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland, TX | $47,180 | $40,089 | $41,854 | 3,940 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $47,260 | $40,153 | $40,712 | 5,850 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $47,260
- Midland, TX — $47,180
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $60,810 | −3.8% | $51,041 | $49,470 – $80,140 | 430 |
| North Dakota | $60,480 | +0.6% | $50,776 | $38,850 – $78,290 | 2,460 |
| Montana | $58,800 | +0.2% | $47,419 | $46,710 – $73,950 | 200 |
| Florida | $57,080 | +1.6% | $48,044 | $38,400 – $62,650 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $53,340 | +7.8% | $43,491 | $48,440 – $60,120 | 40 |
| Indiana | $51,740 | +4.9% | $42,256 | $34,760 – $55,820 | 100 |
| Michigan | $51,720 | +6.3% | $41,790 | $38,400 – $69,710 | 290 |
| Ohio | $51,230 | −7.6% | $42,717 | $35,880 – $75,040 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $50,370 | +2.0% | $42,652 | $48,710 – $61,190 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $50,000 | +2.9% | $41,171 | $36,440 – $65,790 | 2,220 |
| Alabama | $49,400 | +10.6% | $39,668 | $36,240 – $67,820 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $49,240 | +9.6% | $40,507 | $37,300 – $71,930 | 420 |
| Colorado | $49,050 | +1.4% | $40,142 | $45,170 – $60,490 | 1,620 |
| California | $48,880 | −13.8% | $39,837 | $39,110 – $83,930 | 660 |
| Utah | $48,270 | +1.2% | $39,759 | $40,450 – $61,480 | 740 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,520 | −3.4% | $38,903 | $37,980 – $62,950 | 1,610 |
| Oklahoma | $47,260 | +2.0% | $38,572 | $36,260 – $66,550 | 2,730 |
| Wyoming | $46,660 | −0.8% | $39,671 | $37,400 – $63,150 | 1,180 |
| Illinois | $46,500 | +6.4% | $37,386 | $40,030 – $50,500 | 290 |
| Kansas | $46,220 | −5.1% | $37,538 | $39,200 – $75,830 | 570 |
| Texas | $45,950 | −0.5% | $39,101 | $35,840 – $60,470 | 24,430 |
| Arkansas | $44,960 | −0.2% | $36,765 | $39,020 – $64,040 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $44,850 | +1.0% | $37,258 | $36,700 – $66,660 | 3,460 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helpers--Extraction Worker | $47,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.7% |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $48,740 | No formal educational credential | +5.8% |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.0% |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 | No formal educational credential | +1.1% |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 | No formal educational credential | +1.6% |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| 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% |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | No formal educational credential | +0.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roustabouts, oil and gas make?
The national median salary for roustabouts, oil and gas is $46,960 a year ($22.58 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,420 and the top 10% earn over $64,530. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays roustabouts, oil and gas the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $60,810. After taxes and local prices, Midland, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many roustabouts, oil and gas are there in the U.S.?
About 44,970 people work as roustabouts, oil and gas nationwide.