How much does a derrick operator make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $28.18 an hour or $4,885 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.18
- Average (mean)
- $60,210
- Jobs
- 10,590
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,380 | $20.86 | |
| 25th | $49,880 | $23.98 | |
| Median | $58,620 | $28.18 | |
| 75th | $71,610 | $34.43 | |
| 90th | $81,800 | $39.33 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Louisiana | $86,980 |
| Alaska | $78,050 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 |
| Florida | $64,950 |
| Colorado | $64,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 |
| Utah | $56,980 |
| Texas | $56,100 |
| California | $55,480 |
| Ohio | $50,650 |
| West Virginia | $50,640 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 |
| Alabama | $49,350 |
| Mississippi | $47,340 |
| Illinois | $45,900 |
| Michigan | $45,180 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Casper, WY | $76,840 |
| Denver, CO | $69,700 |
| Tyler, TX | $63,190 |
| Houston, TX | $62,910 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $62,370 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $57,350 |
| Midland, TX | $56,120 |
| Greeley, CO | $55,040 |
| Odessa, TX | $53,130 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $52,780 |
| Farmington, NM | $52,640 |
| Abilene, TX | $50,650 |
| San Antonio, TX | $48,880 |
| Lubbock, TX | $47,690 |
In other countries
Derrick Operator belongs to the international group "Well drillers and borers and related workers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Rotary Drill Operator$67,890
- Service Unit Operator$58,160
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator$57,430
- Earth Driller$60,190
- Explosives Worker$61,390
- Continuous Mining Machine Operator$61,810
- Roof Bolter$78,540
- Loading and Moving Machine Operator$74,500
- Underground Mining Machine Operator$70,130
- Rock Splitter$48,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does a derrick operator make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $28.18 ($58,620 a year).
How much does a derrick operator make a month?
About $4,885 a month before tax, based on a median of $58,620 a year.
How much does a derrick operator make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,380 or less a year ($20.86 an hour); the top 10% make $81,800 or more.
Which state pays derrick operators the most?
Louisiana, with a median of $86,980 a year, followed by Alaska ($78,050) and Wyoming ($76,750).
Which city pays derrick operators the most?
Casper, WY, with a median of $76,840 a year.
How many derrick operators are there in the United States?
About 10,590 people work as derrick operators.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.