Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Virginia
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $61,410 —9.5% below the national median of $67,890. That ranks VA #16 of 26 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.32× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Highest-paying states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas
All 26 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $85,470 | $41.09 | 130 | 4.76 |
| 2 | New Mexico | $82,780 | $39.80 | 580 | 8.23 |
| 3 | Colorado | $79,830 | $38.38 | 110 | 0.49 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $79,140 | $38.05 | 40 | 0.46 |
| 5 | Texas | $77,840 | $37.43 | 5,980 | 5.25 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $71,280 | $34.27 | 230 | 6.69 |
| 7 | Utah | $70,400 | $33.85 | — | — |
| 8 | Alabama | $67,400 | $32.41 | 40 | 0.23 |
| 9 | Mississippi | $67,290 | $32.35 | 130 | 1.39 |
| 10 | New York | $67,000 | $32.21 | 50 | 0.06 |
Related occupations in Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $43,560 | $47,120 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,640 | $79,920 |
| Electricians | $62,900 | $63,190 |
| Carpenters | $55,690 | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,160 | $59,850 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,470 | $63,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Virginia is $61,410, or $29.52 per hour. That is 9.5% below the national median of $67,890.
What is the entry-level rotary drill operators, oil and gas salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $44,320 per year ($21.31/hour). The 25th percentile is $55,830.
How many people work as rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Virginia?
About 110 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for rotary drill operators, oil and gas?
Virginia ranks #16 of 26 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.32x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Which state pays rotary drill operators, oil and gas the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage at $85,470 per year, followed by New Mexico ($82,780) and Colorado ($79,830).