Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas earn a median $58,620 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
U.S. median
$58,620
$28.18 per hour
Range
$43,380 – $81,800
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
10,590
across the U.S.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$49,281
per year · effective tax rate 15.9%
$4,107Monthly
$2,053Twice a month
$1,895Every 2 weeks
$23.69Hourly
- 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 |
Best cities for derrick operators, oil and gas (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $62,910 | $52,728 | $53,461 | 1,560 |
| 2 | Midland, TX | $56,120 | $47,272 | $49,354 | 580 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $62,910
- Midland, TX — $56,120
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 | $67,797 | $45,770 – $98,840 | 890 |
| Alaska | $78,050 | $63,738 | $62,400 – $93,490 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 | $62,824 | $63,400 – $83,990 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 | $59,235 | $63,380 – $80,040 | 490 |
| Florida | $64,950 | $54,367 | $49,420 – $81,390 | 60 |
| Colorado | $64,730 | $52,051 | $47,450 – $79,330 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 | $48,332 | $56,330 – $59,720 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 | $48,410 | $31,670 – $74,800 | 880 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 | $46,923 | $48,960 – $68,640 | 580 |
| Utah | $56,980 | $46,365 | $54,640 – $78,940 | 80 |
| Texas | $56,100 | $47,256 | $43,840 – $74,690 | 5,810 |
| California | $55,480 | $44,659 | $52,760 – $71,470 | — |
| Ohio | $50,650 | $42,267 | $39,610 – $63,180 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $50,640 | $41,320 | $47,660 – $72,800 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 | $40,671 | $48,820 – $61,450 | 50 |
| Alabama | $49,350 | $39,630 | $36,260 – $61,950 | — |
| Mississippi | $47,340 | $39,056 | $37,340 – $77,760 | 200 |
| Illinois | $45,900 | $36,933 | $31,690 – $55,180 | — |
| Michigan | $45,180 | $36,813 | $44,620 – $59,560 | 40 |
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. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
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.