Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas (SOC 47-5011) earn a median $58,620 a year ($28.18 an hour) in the United States, with 10,590 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Louisiana.
What derrick operators, oil and gas do
Derrick operators work on oil and gas drilling rigs, rigging the derrick and operating the pumps that circulate mud or fluid through the drill hole. The mud is pumped through the drill pipe and borehole to cool the bit and flush out drill cuttings. Before a derrick is raised or lowered they inspect it or order its inspection, and they inspect it for flaws and clean and oil it to keep it in working condition. They set and bolt crown blocks to the posts at the top of the derrick and line up and position derrick elements, working with harnesses and platform climbing devices. They control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid, listen to the mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems, and repair pumps, mud tanks and related equipment. Roustabouts (47-5071) and rotary drill operators (47-5012) are separate occupations.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most common education level reported is less than a high school diploma, with skills learned on the job.
Also called: Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Driller.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $20.86 | $23.98 | $28.18 | $34.43 | $39.33 | $28.95 | 10,590 |
| Annual | $43,380 | $49,880 | $58,620 | $71,610 | $81,800 | $60,210 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where derrick operators, oil and gas earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $22.01 | $23.59 | $41.82 | $45.45 | $47.52 | $37.32 | 890 | 0.46 | 6.73 |
| Annual | $45,770 | $49,070 | $86,980 | $94,540 | $98,840 | $77,630 | ||||
| Alaska | Hourly | $30.00 | $30.05 | $37.53 | $42.21 | $44.95 | $37.29 | 170 | 0.52 | 7.65 |
| Annual | $62,400 | $62,500 | $78,050 | $87,790 | $93,490 | $77,570 | ||||
| Wyoming | Hourly | $30.48 | $30.77 | $36.90 | $37.29 | $40.38 | $34.90 | 140 | 0.50 | 7.40 |
| Annual | $63,400 | $64,000 | $76,750 | $77,570 | $83,990 | $72,600 | ||||
| North Dakota | Hourly | $30.47 | $32.87 | $34.55 | $36.90 | $38.48 | $35.20 | 490 | 1.14 | 16.80 |
| Annual | $63,380 | $68,360 | $71,850 | $76,760 | $80,040 | $73,210 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $23.76 | $31.21 | $31.23 | $39.13 | $39.13 | $34.18 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.08 |
| Annual | $49,420 | $64,910 | $64,950 | $81,390 | $81,390 | $71,090 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $21.08 | $23.92 | $26.97 | $32.72 | $35.91 | $27.74 | 5,810 | 0.41 | 6.06 |
| Annual | $43,840 | $49,760 | $56,100 | $68,060 | $74,690 | $57,690 | ||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $22.01 | $23.59 | $41.82 | $45.45 | $47.52 | $37.32 | 890 | 0.46 | 6.73 |
| Annual | $45,770 | $49,070 | $86,980 | $94,540 | $98,840 | $77,630 | ||||
| New Mexico | Hourly | $15.22 | $23.40 | $28.64 | $34.52 | $35.96 | $27.47 | 880 | 1.01 | 14.84 |
| Annual | $31,670 | $48,680 | $59,570 | $71,810 | $74,800 | $57,140 | ||||
| Oklahoma | Hourly | $23.54 | $24.23 | $28.01 | $30.69 | $33.00 | $28.25 | 580 | 0.34 | 4.96 |
| Annual | $48,960 | $50,400 | $58,270 | $63,840 | $68,640 | $58,760 | ||||
| North Dakota | Hourly | $30.47 | $32.87 | $34.55 | $36.90 | $38.48 | $35.20 | 490 | 1.14 | 16.80 |
| Annual | $63,380 | $68,360 | $71,850 | $76,760 | $80,040 | $73,210 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Casper, WY | Hourly | $34.16 | $36.93 | $36.94 | $40.78 | $40.78 | $37.47 | 30 | 0.82 | 12.07 |
| Annual | $71,050 | $76,800 | $76,840 | $84,820 | $84,820 | $77,940 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $24.59 | $31.12 | $33.51 | $36.59 | $40.47 | $33.97 | 70 | 0.04 | 0.62 |
| Annual | $51,140 | $64,730 | $69,700 | $76,100 | $84,180 | $70,650 | ||||
| Tyler, TX | Hourly | $21.36 | $30.38 | $30.38 | $30.38 | $32.50 | $28.79 | 120 | 1.08 | 15.92 |
| Annual | $44,430 | $63,190 | $63,190 | $63,190 | $67,600 | $59,890 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $21.72 | $26.15 | $30.25 | $34.96 | $40.16 | $30.81 | 1,560 | 0.47 | 6.97 |
| Annual | $45,180 | $54,400 | $62,910 | $72,720 | $83,530 | $64,080 | ||||
| Oklahoma City, OK | Hourly | $26.98 | $27.20 | $29.99 | $30.69 | $30.69 | $29.56 | 260 | 0.38 | 5.53 |
| Annual | $56,110 | $56,570 | $62,370 | $63,840 | $63,840 | $61,490 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $21.72 | $26.15 | $30.25 | $34.96 | $40.16 | $30.81 | 1,560 | 0.47 | 6.97 |
| Annual | $45,180 | $54,400 | $62,910 | $72,720 | $83,530 | $64,080 | ||||
| Midland, TX | Hourly | $24.15 | $24.87 | $26.98 | $32.97 | $34.12 | $28.02 | 580 | 4.75 | 69.80 |
| Annual | $50,230 | $51,740 | $56,120 | $68,590 | $70,970 | $58,280 | ||||
| Odessa, TX | Hourly | $22.05 | $24.52 | $25.54 | $29.43 | $30.43 | $26.24 | 390 | 4.79 | 70.42 |
| Annual | $45,870 | $51,010 | $53,130 | $61,220 | $63,280 | $54,580 | ||||
| Oklahoma City, OK | Hourly | $26.98 | $27.20 | $29.99 | $30.69 | $30.69 | $29.56 | 260 | 0.38 | 5.53 |
| Annual | $56,110 | $56,570 | $62,370 | $63,840 | $63,840 | $61,490 | ||||
| Farmington, NM | Hourly | $19.00 | $22.38 | $25.31 | $28.82 | $29.69 | $24.92 | 180 | 3.79 | 55.68 |
| Annual | $39,520 | $46,550 | $52,640 | $59,950 | $61,750 | $51,830 | ||||
Top industries employing derrick operators, oil and gas
Support Activities for Mining employ 84.4% of derrick operators, oil and gas nationally (8,940 jobs) at a median $57,480 a year ($27.63 an hour), followed by Oil and Gas Extraction (12.7%) and Utility System Construction (0.7%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Activities for Mining NAICS 213100 | 8,940 | 84.4% | $57,480 | $27.63 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction NAICS 211100 | 1,340 | 12.7% | $83,580 | $40.19 |
| Utility System Construction NAICS 237100 | 70 | 0.7% | $64,950 | $31.23 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (10,590). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $47,230 for derrick operators, oil and gas in May 2021 and $58,620 in May 2025, with employment of 7,880 and 10,590.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $47,230 | $22.71 | 7,880 |
| May 2022 | $51,220 | $24.62 | 10,950 |
| May 2023 | $58,210 | $27.99 | 11,510 |
| May 2024 | $62,740 | $30.16 | 11,040 |
| May 2025 | $58,620 | $28.18 | 10,590 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
19 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana profile | $41.82 | $86,980 | $45,770 | $98,840 | 890 | 0.46 | 6.73 |
| 2 | Alaska profile | $37.53 | $78,050 | $62,400 | $93,490 | 170 | 0.52 | 7.65 |
| 3 | Wyoming profile | $36.90 | $76,750 | $63,400 | $83,990 | 140 | 0.50 | 7.40 |
| 4 | North Dakota profile | $34.55 | $71,850 | $63,380 | $80,040 | 490 | 1.14 | 16.80 |
| 5 | Florida profile | $31.23 | $64,950 | $49,420 | $81,390 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.08 |
| 6 | Colorado profile | $31.12 | $64,730 | $47,450 | $79,330 | 290 | 0.10 | 1.49 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania profile | $28.71 | $59,720 | $56,330 | $59,720 | 140 | 0.02 | 0.35 |
| 8 | New Mexico profile | $28.64 | $59,570 | $31,670 | $74,800 | 880 | 1.01 | 14.84 |
| 9 | Oklahoma profile | $28.01 | $58,270 | $48,960 | $68,640 | 580 | 0.34 | 4.96 |
| 10 | Utah profile | $27.39 | $56,980 | $54,640 | $78,940 | 80 | 0.05 | 0.67 |
| 11 | Texas profile | $26.97 | $56,100 | $43,840 | $74,690 | 5,810 | 0.41 | 6.06 |
| 12 | California profile | $26.67 | $55,480 | $52,760 | $71,470 | ** | ** | ** |
| 13 | Ohio profile | $24.35 | $50,650 | $39,610 | $63,180 | 120 | 0.02 | 0.31 |
| 14 | West Virginia profile | $24.35 | $50,640 | $47,660 | $72,800 | 60 | 0.08 | 1.23 |
| 15 | Arkansas profile | $24.07 | $50,070 | $48,820 | $61,450 | 50 | 0.04 | 0.59 |
| 16 | Alabama profile | $23.72 | $49,350 | $36,260 | $61,950 | ** | ** | ** |
| 17 | Mississippi profile | $22.76 | $47,340 | $37,340 | $77,760 | 200 | 0.18 | 2.59 |
| 18 | Illinois profile | $22.07 | $45,900 | $31,690 | $55,180 | ** | ** | ** |
| 19 | Michigan profile | $21.72 | $45,180 | $44,620 | $59,560 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.12 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (47-5010), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Construction and Extraction Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 47-5011 Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 47-5011, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 47-5011.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.