North Dakota Median
$62,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $60,190
State Rank
#18 of 48
110 employed here
How much do Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas make in North Dakota?
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in North Dakota take home a median of $62,570 annually — roughly $30.08 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $60,190.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $42,210 while the top 10% make $102,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,510 and $78,990 a year.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,210 | $20.29 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,510 | $23.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,570 | $30.08 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,990 | $37.98 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,300 | $49.18 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 18th out of 48 states and territories for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary in other states
Washington $80,490Alaska $80,040Illinois $79,080New Jersey $77,950Montana $71,470Wisconsin $68,320California $66,910New Hampshire $66,410Connecticut $65,710Kansas $65,600Oregon $64,920Colorado $64,820Wyoming $64,450Massachusetts $64,180Minnesota $63,790Indiana $62,750Michigan $62,570South Carolina $61,500Vermont $61,420Maryland $61,260Nevada $61,030Ohio $61,010New York $60,860Mississippi $60,680Utah $60,490Nebraska $60,200New Mexico $60,140Arizona $58,870Texas $58,700Tennessee $58,670Pennsylvania $57,400North Carolina $57,300Delaware $57,160South Dakota $57,160Kentucky $56,160Louisiana $55,690West Virginia $55,540Virginia $55,470Florida $55,320Idaho $54,830Oklahoma $54,180Iowa $54,000Missouri $51,530Georgia $50,030Alabama $46,440Arkansas $46,160Maine $45,560
Working as Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in North Dakota
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Earth Drillers, Except 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 North Dakota pay ($62,570) 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 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas make in North Dakota?
The median Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary in North Dakota is $62,570 per year, or about $30.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,210 at the entry level to $102,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas about 4% more than the national median of $60,190. North Dakota ranks 18th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas?
Yes on pay — North Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,570 a year. About 110 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas are employed in North Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Earth Drillers, Except 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.