How much does a rig driller make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $4,765 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $4,006
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.1 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Australia | $94,390 |
| 2. Iceland estimate | $88,700 |
| 3. Belgium estimate | $85,660 |
| 8. Sweden estimate | $59,500 |
| 9. United States | $57,170 |
| 10. Germany | $56,950 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $492 |
Similar jobs
Plant and machine operators and assemblers
- Miners$59,170
- Stone planer$46,380
- Stone fabricator$48,830
- Metal caster$49,830
- Metal filer$47,330
- Chemical products plant and machine operators$56,560
- Photo retoucher$40,610
- Cure operator$50,980
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Alaska | $89,950 |
| Washington | $80,490 |
| New Jersey | $79,520 |
| Montana | $69,140 |
| North Carolina | $66,410 |
| New Hampshire | $66,410 |
| Connecticut | $65,710 |
| Wisconsin | $65,510 |
| North Dakota | $65,470 |
| Oregon | $64,920 |
See all 49 states
| Hawaii | $64,560 |
| Massachusetts | $64,180 |
| Minnesota | $63,790 |
| New Mexico | $63,220 |
| California | $63,140 |
| Nebraska | $61,970 |
| South Carolina | $61,500 |
| Vermont | $61,420 |
| Maryland | $60,950 |
| Nevada | $60,940 |
| Tennessee | $60,620 |
| New York | $60,060 |
| Indiana | $60,000 |
| Missouri | $59,860 |
| Arizona | $59,010 |
| Colorado | $58,970 |
| Virginia | $57,580 |
| Florida | $57,360 |
| Delaware | $57,160 |
| Ohio | $57,110 |
| Illinois | $56,660 |
| Michigan | $56,650 |
| Wyoming | $56,450 |
| Texas | $55,860 |
| Louisiana | $55,780 |
| Idaho | $55,180 |
| Utah | $55,000 |
| West Virginia | $54,420 |
| South Dakota | $54,150 |
| Oklahoma | $54,020 |
| Kansas | $53,820 |
| Mississippi | $53,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,520 |
| Alabama | $51,590 |
| Georgia | $50,880 |
| Iowa | $49,350 |
| Arkansas | $49,070 |
| Maine | $45,560 |
| Kentucky | $43,890 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Roustabout | $46,960 |
| Service Unit Operator | $58,160 |
| Earth Driller | $60,190 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 |
| Rotary Drill Operator | $67,890 |
| Derrick Operator | $58,620 |
| Explosives Worker | $61,390 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rig driller make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $4,765 a month, $57,170 a year.
How much does a rig driller make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $40,250 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $85,350.
Which country pays a rig driller the most?
Australia, with a median of $94,390 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a rig driller the most?
Alaska, with a median of $89,950 a year.
Does a rig driller make more in the United States or in Germany?
In the United States: $57,170 a year against $56,950 in Germany, 1.0 times more.
Who makes more, a rig driller or a miners?
A miners: $59,170 a year against $57,170 for a rig driller, 1.0 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate