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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$64,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $58,620
State Rank
#6 of 19
290 employed here

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

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas working in Colorado earn a median salary of $64,730 per year, or about $31.12 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $58,620 for this occupation.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $47,450 while the top 10% make $79,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,150 and $77,110 a year.

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary range in Colorado

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,450$22.81
25th percentile (early career)$55,150$26.51
50th percentile (median)$64,730$31.12
75th percentile (experienced)$77,110$37.07
90th percentile (top earners)$79,330$38.14

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 6th 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 Colorado

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 Colorado pay ($64,730) 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 Colorado?
The median Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Colorado is $64,730 per year, or about $31.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,450 at the entry level to $79,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas about 10% more than the national median of $58,620. Colorado ranks 6th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $64,730 a year. About 290 Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

Related salaries

Pipelayer

$49,000
median pay · 33,000 employed

Boilermaker

$76,410
median pay · 10,000 employed

Electrician

$63,190
median pay · 757,000 employed

Hazardous Material Removal Workers

$49,450
median pay · 52,000 employed

Underground Mining Machine Operator, All Other

$70,130
median pay · 3,000 employed

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

$70,070
median pay · 20,000 employed
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.