Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary
Construction and Extraction Occupations · 11K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$58,620
Median hourly
$28
Average annual
$60,210
Typical range
$43,380–$81,800
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas is $58,620 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $28 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole..
Most earn between $43,380 and $81,800 a year. There are roughly 11K people employed as derrick operators, oil and gas in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas.
- Hourly
- $28.18
- Daily
- $225
- Weekly
- $1,127
- Bi-weekly
- $2,255
- Monthly
- $4,885
- Annual
- $58,620
$58,620 a year is around the 50th percentile for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gass. The median is $58,620.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Louisiana$86,980
- 2Alaska$78,050
- 3Wyoming$76,750
- 4North Dakota$71,850
- 5Florida$64,950
- 6Colorado$64,730
- 7Pennsylvania$59,720
- 8New Mexico$59,570
- 9Oklahoma$58,270
- 10Utah$56,980
- 11Texas$56,100
- 12California$55,480
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Casper, WY$76,840
- 2Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$69,700
- 3Tyler, TX$63,190
- 4Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$62,910
- 5Oklahoma City, OK$62,370
- 6Pittsburgh, PA$57,350
- 7Midland, TX$56,120
- 8Greeley, CO$55,040
- 9Odessa, TX$53,130
- 10Bakersfield-Delano, CA$52,780
- 11Farmington, NM$52,640
- 12Abilene, TX$50,650
Related job titles
Employers advertise Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas roles under these titles.
Related occupations
What a Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas does
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
- Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
- Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
- Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
- Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas make?
- The median annual wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas is $58,620 ($28 per hour). Pay ranges from about $43,380 at the 10th percentile to $81,800 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $60,210, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Derrick Operators, Oil and Gass the most?
- Louisiana has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $86,980.
- Is Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 11K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas do?
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.; Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.; Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions..