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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$57,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $67,890
State Rank
#20 of 26
50 employed here

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

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $57,760 per year, or about $27.77 per hour. That is 15% below the national median of $67,890 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $33,420 while the top 10% make $97,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,680 and $60,990 a year.

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,420$16.07
25th percentile (early career)$36,680$17.63
50th percentile (median)$57,760$27.77
75th percentile (experienced)$60,990$29.32
90th percentile (top earners)$97,470$46.86

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 20th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($57,760) 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 North Carolina?
The median Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in North Carolina is $57,760 per year, or about $27.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,420 at the entry level to $97,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas about 15% less than the national median of $67,890. North Carolina ranks 20th out of 26 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,760 a year. About 50 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Rotary Drill 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.