Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for derrick operators, oil and gas in the U.S. is $58,620 ($28.18 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $58,620
- Mean annual wage
- $60,210
- Median hourly wage
- $28.18
- Employment
- 10,590
10,590 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| 25th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Median (50th) | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| 75th percentile | $71,610 | $34.43 |
| 90th percentile | $81,800 | $39.33 |
Highest-paying states for derrick operators, oil and gas
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- Michigan: $45,180 median annual wage
- Illinois: $45,900 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $47,340 median annual wage
- Alabama: $49,350 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $50,070 median annual wage
About this occupation
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
Typical tasks
- Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
- Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
- Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: No formal educational credential
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 16.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 45.3% |
| Some college, no degree | 18.5% |
| Associate's degree | 8.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 10.1% |
| Master's degree | 1.2% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.3% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Construction Laborers$47,120
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$79,920
- Electricians$63,190
- Carpenters$60,580
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$59,850
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$63,800
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$49,400
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$57,020
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.