Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Arkansas
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Arkansas earn a median of $50,070 a year ($24.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,450 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $58,620. Arkansas ranks 15th of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.04 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $51,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| 25th percentile | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| Median | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| 75th percentile | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,450 | $29.55 |
| Average (mean) | $51,820 | $24.91 |
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 | $4,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,086.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,925.77 |
| Weekly | $962.88 |
| Hourly | $24.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $53,120 | $25.54 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $47,890 | $23.03 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $37,700 | $18.12 |
| Construction Laborer | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Electrician | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Carpenter | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $48,660 | $23.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in Arkansas is $50,070 a year, or $24.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in Arkansas earn at least $61,450 a year. The top 25% earn $56,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,820 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $49,120 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in Arkansas?
About 50 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.