Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas · Texas

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Texas

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Texas earn a median annual wage of $56,100 —4.3% below the national median of $58,620. That ranks TX #11 of 19 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$56,100
Median hourly
$26.97
Entry level (P10)
$43,840
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$74,690
90th percentile
Employment
5,810
0.4 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-4.3%
U.S. $58,620

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$43,840
$49,760
$56,100
$68,060
$43,840$56,100$74,690
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $56,100.

Employment is 6.06× as concentrated as the national average, making Texas a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for derrick operators, oil and gas

All 19 states ranked by median annual wage. Texas is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Louisiana$86,980$41.828906.73
2Alaska$78,050$37.531707.65
3Wyoming$76,750$36.901407.40
4North Dakota$71,850$34.5549016.80
5Florida$64,950$31.23600.08
6Colorado$64,730$31.122901.49
7Pennsylvania$59,720$28.711400.35
8New Mexico$59,570$28.6488014.84
9Oklahoma$58,270$28.015804.96
10Utah$56,980$27.39800.67

Related occupations in Texas

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Texas.

Frequently asked questions

How much do derrick operators, oil and gas make in Texas?

The median annual wage for derrick operators, oil and gas in Texas is $56,100, or $26.97 per hour. That is 4.3% below the national median of $58,620.

What is the entry-level derrick operators, oil and gas salary in Texas?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $43,840 per year ($21.08/hour). The 25th percentile is $49,760.

How many people work as derrick operators, oil and gas in Texas?

About 5,810 people work in this occupation in Texas, or 0.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Texas a good state for derrick operators, oil and gas?

Texas ranks #11 of 19 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 6.06x as concentrated as the national average, making Texas a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays derrick operators, oil and gas the most?

Louisiana has the highest median wage at $86,980 per year, followed by Alaska ($78,050) and Wyoming ($76,750).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes