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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$57,020
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $67,890
State Rank
#21 of 26
240 employed here

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

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $57,020 per year, or about $27.41 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $67,890 for this occupation.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $46,730 while the top 10% make $80,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,840 and $60,450 a year.

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,730$22.47
25th percentile (early career)$47,840$23.00
50th percentile (median)$57,020$27.41
75th percentile (experienced)$60,450$29.06
90th percentile (top earners)$80,250$38.58

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 21st 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 West Virginia

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 West Virginia pay ($57,020) 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 West Virginia?
The median Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in West Virginia is $57,020 per year, or about $27.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,730 at the entry level to $80,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas about 16% less than the national median of $67,890. West Virginia ranks 21st out of 26 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,020 a year. About 240 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.