Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay in Texas
In Texas, the median pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas is $37.43 an hour ($77,840 a year). About 5,980 people work in this job there.
That is 15% higher than the U.S. median ($67,890). Texas ranks 5th of 26 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Texas
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.00 | $47,840 |
| 25% of workers | $29.21 | $60,770 |
| Half of workers (median) | $37.43 | $77,840 |
| 75% of workers | $41.65 | $86,630 |
| 90% of workers | $58.40 | $121,470 |
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay in Texas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $81,360 | 470 |
| Tyler | $79,640 | 80 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $79,450 | 2,100 |
| Midland | $78,260 | 490 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $63,310 | 90 |
| Odessa | $59,560 | 230 |
| Wichita Falls | $57,700 | 40 |
| Abilene | $56,540 | 50 |
Texas unemployment rate: 4.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Texas
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $45,950 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $49,820 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $84,100 |
| Wellhead Pumpers | $75,860 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $56,100 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $58,700 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $40,650 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $49,000 |
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.