How much do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make?
The median pay for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in the United States is $67,890 per year — about $32.64 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $47,010, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $101,860.
That is $6,500 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary range by percentile
Half of all Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earn between $53,810 and $81,360 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,010 | $22.60 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $53,810 | $25.87 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,890 | $32.64 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,360 | $39.12 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,860 | $48.97 |
Highest-paying states for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Alaska leads the country for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay at $85,470 a year, followed by New Mexico ($82,780) and Colorado ($79,830). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $37,700 — a gap of $47,770 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $85,470 | $41.09 | +26% |
| 2 | New Mexico | $82,780 | $39.80 | +22% |
| 3 | Colorado | $79,830 | $38.38 | +18% |
| 4 | Nebraska | $79,140 | $38.05 | +17% |
| 5 | Texas | $77,840 | $37.42 | +15% |
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 26 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 13,000 people work as Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $72,130 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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