Oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:

$38.28 per hour

$79,620 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:

$33.57 per hour

$69,820 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:

$24.12 per hour

$50,180 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:

$20.42 per hour

$42,480 per year

10th percentile

Starting level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:

$17.71 per hour

$36,830 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Oil and gas rotary drill operator salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Mississippi $83,660
Alaska $72,340
Indiana $71,540
North Dakota $64,350
California $62,950
Wyoming $60,370
Utah $58,180
Minnesota $56,660
Maryland $55,060
Texas $54,440
West Virginia $54,300
Pennsylvania $53,310
Virginia $52,400
Oklahoma $52,100
New York $50,350
Colorado $50,180
Louisiana $48,940
Kansas $48,129
Montana $46,460
Ohio $45,320
Arizona $45,000
Illinois $44,210
Arkansas $43,400
Florida $41,030
Alabama $38,340
Michigan $38,190
New Mexico $37,940
Georgia $31,440

How do oil and gas rotary drill operator salaries compare to similar careers?

Oil and gas rotary drill operators earn about the same as related careers in Colorado. On average, they make less than industrial designers but more than derrick operators.

Career Median Salary
Industrial designer salary $58K
Avionics technician salary $64K
Mining machine operator salary $61K
Industrial machinery mechanic salary $59K
Water treatment plant operator salary $55K
Oil and gas rotary drill operator salary $50K
Radio mechanic salary $57K
Millwright salary $52K
Quality control inspector salary $49K
Derrick operator salary $53K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)