Roustabouts, Oil and Gas salary in California
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas in California earn a median of $48,880 a year ($23.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,930 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $46,960. California ranks 14th of 23 states for roustabouts, oil and gas pay. There are 0.04 roustabouts, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.13). The average (mean) salary is $56,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for roustabouts, oil and gas in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| 25th percentile | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| Median | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| 75th percentile | $64,260 | $30.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,930 | $40.35 |
| Average (mean) | $56,070 | $26.96 |
Half of roustabouts, 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 | $4,073.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,036.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,880 |
| Weekly | $940 |
| Hourly | $23.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $71,280 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $52,640 | 240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $48,790 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for roustabouts, oil and gas
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $60,810 |
| North Dakota | $60,480 |
| Montana | $58,800 |
| Florida | $57,080 |
| Nebraska | $53,340 |
| Indiana | $51,740 |
| Michigan | $51,720 |
| Ohio | $51,230 |
| South Dakota | $50,370 |
| New Mexico | $50,000 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $51,720 | $24.87 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $61,620 | $29.63 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $46.96 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5071. 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 roustabouts, oil and gas make in California?
The median salary for roustabouts, oil and gas in California is $48,880 a year, or $23.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid roustabouts, oil and gas make in California?
The top 10% of roustabouts, oil and gas in California earn at least $83,930 a year. The top 25% earn $64,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for roustabouts, oil and gas in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,110 a year, and a quarter of roustabouts, oil and gas earn $43,340 or less.
How many roustabouts, oil and gas work in California?
About 660 roustabouts, oil and gas are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.