Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas is $32.64 an hour ($67,890 a year). About 12,600 people work in this job there.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $22.60 | $47,010 |
| 25% of workers | $25.87 | $53,810 |
| Half of workers (median) | $32.64 | $67,890 |
| 75% of workers | $39.12 | $81,360 |
| 90% of workers | $48.97 | $101,860 |
Best-paying states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0 |
| Alabama | $67,400 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $67,290 | 130 |
| New York | $67,000 | 50 |
Pay by state
- Louisiana · $49,410
- New Mexico · $82,780
- Oklahoma · $55,160
- Texas · $77,840
Education, experience and outlook for rotary drill operators, oil and gas
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.8% over ten years, little or no change · about 1,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $46,960 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,710 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 |
| Wellhead Pumpers | $69,960 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operators | $61,810 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $47,730 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.