Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in the U.S.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in the U.S. earn a median of $67,890 a year ($32.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,860 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $72,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| 25th percentile | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| Median | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| 75th percentile | $81,360 | $39.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Average (mean) | $72,130 | $34.68 |
Half of rotary drill 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 | $5,657.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,828.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,611.15 |
| Weekly | $1,305.58 |
| Hourly | $32.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $85,470 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $82,780 | 580 |
| Colorado | $79,830 | 110 |
| Nebraska | $79,140 | 40 |
| Texas | $77,840 | 5,980 |
| North Dakota | $71,280 | 230 |
| Utah | $70,400 | n/a |
| Alabama | $67,400 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $67,290 | 130 |
| New York | $67,000 | 50 |
| California | $65,520 | 460 |
| Ohio | $63,600 | 290 |
| Arizona | $62,920 | 30 |
| Florida | $61,970 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,780 | 390 |
| Virginia | $61,410 | 110 |
| Wyoming | $61,000 | 200 |
| Kansas | $60,600 | 130 |
| Tennessee | $58,780 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $57,760 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $57,020 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $55,160 | 1,700 |
| Michigan | $54,020 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $49,410 | 910 |
| Kentucky | $38,520 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $37,700 | 70 |
Best-paying metro areas for rotary drill operators, oil and gas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $85,470 | 40 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $81,360 | 470 |
| Tyler, TX | $79,640 | 80 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $79,450 | 2,100 |
| Midland, TX | $78,260 | 490 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75,660 | 190 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $69,120 | 30 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $63,600 | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $63,310 | 90 |
| Farmington, NM | $62,730 | 60 |
| Odessa, TX | $59,560 | 230 |
| Casper, WY | $57,750 | 90 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $57,700 | 40 |
| Abilene, TX | $56,540 | 50 |
| Tulsa, OK | $56,160 | 220 |
Metro areas with the most rotary drill operators, oil and gas
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 2,100 | $79,450 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 1,040 | $55,160 |
| Midland, TX | 490 | $78,260 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 470 | $81,360 |
| Lafayette, LA | 400 | $49,190 |
| Odessa, TX | 230 | $59,560 |
| Tulsa, OK | 220 | $56,160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 190 | $75,660 |
| Casper, WY | 90 | $57,750 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 90 | $63,310 |
| Tyler, TX | 80 | $79,640 |
| Farmington, NM | 60 | $62,730 |
| Abilene, TX | 50 | $56,540 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 50 | $63,600 |
| Anchorage, AK | 40 | $85,470 |
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 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| 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 47-5012. 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 rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in the U.S.?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in the U.S. is $67,890 a year, or $32.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in the U.S. earn at least $101,860 a year. The top 25% earn $81,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,010 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $53,810 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in the U.S.?
About 12,600 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.