Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Louisiana (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$49,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-27% vs US median
US median $67,890
State Rank
#24 of 26
910 employed here

How much do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make in Louisiana?

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Louisiana take home a median of $49,410 annually — roughly $23.75 an hour — which runs 27% below the national median of $67,890.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $31,990 while the top 10% make $79,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,170 and $70,180 a year.

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary range in Louisiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,990$15.38
25th percentile (early career)$44,170$21.24
50th percentile (median)$49,410$23.75
75th percentile (experienced)$70,180$33.74
90th percentile (top earners)$79,380$38.16

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 24th out of 26 states and territories for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$85,470
2New Mexico$82,780
3Colorado$79,830
4Nebraska$79,140
5Texas$77,840

Working as Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Louisiana

Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Rotary Drill 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 Louisiana pay ($49,410) 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 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make in Louisiana?
The median Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Louisiana is $49,410 per year, or about $23.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,990 at the entry level to $79,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas about 27% less than the national median of $67,890. Louisiana ranks 24th out of 26 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,410 a year. About 910 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas are employed in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Louisiana include Pediatrician, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologist ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary report

Related salaries

Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers

$49,910
median pay · 28,000 employed

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

$62,120
median pay · 53,000 employed

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas

$60,190
median pay · 19,000 employed

Fence Erector

$47,980
median pay · 24,000 employed

Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

$49,120
median pay · 44,000 employed

Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

$46,960
median pay · 45,000 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.