Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Alabama
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Alabama earn a median of $49,350 a year ($23.72 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $36,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,950 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $58,620. Alabama ranks 16th of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay. The average (mean) salary is $49,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| 25th percentile | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Median | $49,350 | $23.72 |
| 75th percentile | $60,160 | $28.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Average (mean) | $49,610 | $23.85 |
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 | $4,112.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,056.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,898.08 |
| Weekly | $949.04 |
| Hourly | $23.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for derrick operators, oil and gas
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 |
| Alaska | $78,050 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 |
| Florida | $64,950 |
| Colorado | $64,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 |
| Utah | $56,980 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $67,020 | $32.22 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| Construction Laborer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Electrician | $55,690 | $26.78 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,670 | $28.21 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
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 Alabama?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in Alabama is $49,350 a year, or $23.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in Alabama?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in Alabama earn at least $61,950 a year. The top 25% earn $60,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,260 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $37,130 or less.