Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for derrick operators, oil and gas is $58,620, or $28.18 per hour. About 10,590 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $86,980 in Louisiana to $45,180 in Michigan.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 19 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | $86,980 | $41.82 | 890 | 6.73 |
| 2 | Alaska | $78,050 | $37.53 | 170 | 7.65 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $76,750 | $36.90 | 140 | 7.40 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $71,850 | $34.55 | 490 | 16.80 |
| 5 | Florida | $64,950 | $31.23 | 60 | 0.08 |
| 6 | Colorado | $64,730 | $31.12 | 290 | 1.49 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $59,720 | $28.71 | 140 | 0.35 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $59,570 | $28.64 | 880 | 14.84 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | $58,270 | $28.01 | 580 | 4.96 |
| 10 | Utah | $56,980 | $27.39 | 80 | 0.67 |
| 11 | Texas | $56,100 | $26.97 | 5,810 | 6.06 |
| 12 | California | $55,480 | $26.67 | — | — |
| 13 | Ohio | $50,650 | $24.35 | 120 | 0.31 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $50,640 | $24.35 | 60 | 1.23 |
| 15 | Arkansas | $50,070 | $24.07 | 50 | 0.59 |
| 16 | Alabama | $49,350 | $23.72 | — | — |
| 17 | Mississippi | $47,340 | $22.76 | 200 | 2.59 |
| 18 | Illinois | $45,900 | $22.07 | — | — |
| 19 | Michigan | $45,180 | $21.72 | 40 | 0.12 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do derrick operators, oil and gas make?
The median annual wage for derrick operators, oil and gas in the United States is $58,620, or $28.18 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $43,380, and the top 10% earn $81,800.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in the U.S.?
About 10,590 people work as derrick operators, oil and gas nationwide.
Which state pays derrick operators, oil and gas the most?
Louisiana pays the most at a median of $86,980, followed by Alaska ($78,050) and Wyoming ($76,750).
Which state pays derrick operators, oil and gas the least?
Michigan has the lowest median at $45,180.
Where are derrick operators, oil and gas jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is North Dakota at 16.80×.