Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas Salary
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas earn a median $58,160 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What service unit operators, oil and gas do
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.1% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 3,800
Employment of service unit operators, oil and gas is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,800 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.
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,799
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,606
- Medicare (1.45%)$843
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$48,912
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,940 | $18.72 | $33,468 |
| 25th percentile | $47,480 | $22.83 | $40,330 |
| Median (50th) | $58,160 | $27.96 | $48,912 |
| 75th percentile | $73,230 | $35.21 | $60,347 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,560 | $46.90 | $77,463 |
Best cities for service unit operators, oil and gas (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland, TX | $49,470 | $41,929 | $43,775 | 3,460 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $49,940 | $42,307 | $42,895 | 5,400 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $49,940
- Midland, TX — $49,470
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $106,480 | +7.6% | $83,739 | $62,280 – $182,740 | 1,090 |
| Missouri | $90,580 | +3.0% | $69,233 | $82,420 – $95,140 | 80 |
| Montana | $77,750 | +25.7% | $60,495 | $47,150 – $97,290 | 310 |
| New Mexico | $64,990 | +11.9% | $52,511 | $47,400 – $101,900 | 2,600 |
| Nebraska | $62,990 | +11.4% | $50,806 | $50,340 – $69,240 | 30 |
| California | $62,580 | −5.3% | $49,845 | $46,030 – $104,900 | 2,820 |
| Wyoming | $62,560 | +5.2% | $52,447 | $47,090 – $93,110 | 820 |
| Florida | $62,050 | −10.1% | $52,037 | $45,790 – $72,520 | 200 |
| Ohio | $61,260 | +17.0% | $50,500 | $39,520 – $104,810 | 930 |
| North Dakota | $60,810 | −2.5% | $51,041 | $37,600 – $88,410 | 3,000 |
| Louisiana | $60,760 | +14.6% | $49,564 | $39,740 – $93,120 | 3,130 |
| Colorado | $60,290 | +0.9% | $48,679 | $46,490 – $109,290 | 2,930 |
| Indiana | $56,980 | +3.5% | $46,312 | $34,230 – $62,330 | — |
| Oklahoma | $56,680 | +0.3% | $45,717 | $34,490 – $97,950 | 2,980 |
| Utah | $56,290 | +1.3% | $45,842 | $39,070 – $80,550 | 1,060 |
| West Virginia | $56,250 | +3.0% | $45,579 | $37,680 – $81,930 | 580 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,780 | −2.4% | $44,514 | $39,310 – $73,600 | 1,520 |
| Michigan | $52,000 | +3.4% | $42,003 | $39,350 – $76,930 | 230 |
| South Dakota | $49,920 | — | $42,291 | $46,060 – $57,010 | 40 |
| Texas | $49,820 | −3.7% | $42,210 | $37,560 – $79,770 | 16,820 |
| Mississippi | $49,610 | −8.8% | $40,789 | $35,480 – $97,590 | 250 |
| Alabama | $49,490 | +3.9% | $39,736 | $39,990 – $74,550 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $48,120 | −13.1% | $39,180 | $32,610 – $66,140 | 220 |
| Kansas | $46,230 | +4.7% | $37,546 | $38,480 – $62,540 | 370 |
| New York | $45,750 | −6.7% | $37,067 | $36,880 – $60,660 | 100 |
| Illinois | $41,680 | −14.5% | $33,752 | $37,110 – $71,440 | 220 |
| Kentucky | $28,280 | — | $24,026 | $25,810 – $77,330 | 210 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 | No formal educational credential | +1.6% |
| 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% |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| 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% |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $48,740 | No formal educational credential | +5.8% |
| Helpers--Extraction Worker | $47,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.7% |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $46,960 | No formal educational credential | +3.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a service unit operators, oil and gas make?
The national median salary for service unit operators, oil and gas is $58,160 a year ($27.96 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,940 and the top 10% earn over $97,560. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays service unit operators, oil and gas the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $106,480. After taxes and local prices, Midland, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many service unit operators, oil and gas are there in the U.S.?
About 43,140 people work as service unit operators, oil and gas nationwide.