Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in the U.S.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in the U.S. earn a median of $58,620 a year ($28.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,800 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $60,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| 25th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Median | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| 75th percentile | $71,610 | $34.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| Average (mean) | $60,210 | $28.95 |
Half of derrick operators, oil and gas earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,885 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,442.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,254.62 |
| Weekly | $1,127.31 |
| Hourly | $28.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 | 890 |
| Alaska | $78,050 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 | 490 |
| Florida | $64,950 | 60 |
| Colorado | $64,730 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 | 880 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 | 580 |
| Utah | $56,980 | 80 |
| Texas | $56,100 | 5,810 |
| California | $55,480 | n/a |
| Ohio | $50,650 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $50,640 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 | 50 |
| Alabama | $49,350 | n/a |
| Mississippi | $47,340 | 200 |
| Illinois | $45,900 | n/a |
| Michigan | $45,180 | 40 |
Best-paying metro areas for derrick operators, oil and gas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Casper, WY | $76,840 | 30 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $69,700 | 70 |
| Tyler, TX | $63,190 | 120 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $62,910 | 1,560 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $62,370 | 260 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $57,350 | n/a |
| Midland, TX | $56,120 | 580 |
| Greeley, CO | $55,040 | 90 |
| Odessa, TX | $53,130 | 390 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $52,780 | n/a |
| Farmington, NM | $52,640 | 180 |
| Abilene, TX | $50,650 | 40 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $48,880 | 160 |
| Lubbock, TX | $47,690 | 120 |
Metro areas with the most derrick operators, oil and gas
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,560 | $62,910 |
| Midland, TX | 580 | $56,120 |
| Odessa, TX | 390 | $53,130 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 260 | $62,370 |
| Farmington, NM | 180 | $52,640 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 160 | $48,880 |
| Lubbock, TX | 120 | $47,690 |
| Tyler, TX | 120 | $63,190 |
| Greeley, CO | 90 | $55,040 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 70 | $69,700 |
| Abilene, TX | 40 | $50,650 |
| Casper, WY | 30 | $76,840 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $48,740 | $23.44 |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $70,130 | $33.72 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,120 | $22.66 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a derrick operators, oil and gas make in the U.S.?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in the U.S. is $58,620 a year, or $28.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in the U.S. earn at least $81,800 a year. The top 25% earn $71,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,380 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $49,880 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in the U.S.?
About 10,590 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.