Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$55,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $58,620
State Rank
#12 of 19
state estimate

How much do Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas make in California?

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas working in California earn a median salary of $55,480 per year, or about $26.67 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $58,620 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $52,760 while the top 10% make $71,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,770 and $68,920 a year.

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,760$25.37
25th percentile (early career)$52,770$25.37
50th percentile (median)$55,480$26.67
75th percentile (experienced)$68,920$33.13
90th percentile (top earners)$71,470$34.36

How California compares

California ranks 12th out of 19 states and territories for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Louisiana$86,980
2Alaska$78,050
3Wyoming$76,750
4North Dakota$71,850
5Florida$64,950

Working as Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in California

Nationally, about 11,000 people work as Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($55,480) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas make in California?
The median Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in California is $55,480 per year, or about $26.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,760 at the entry level to $71,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas about 5% less than the national median of $58,620. California ranks 12th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,480 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.