How much does a rotary drill operator make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $32.64 an hour or $5,658 a month.
- Hourly
- $32.64
- Average (mean)
- $72,130
- Jobs
- 12,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,010 | $22.60 | |
| 25th | $53,810 | $25.87 | |
| Median | $67,890 | $32.64 | |
| 75th | $81,360 | $39.12 | |
| 90th | $101,900 | $48.97 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Alaska | $85,470 |
| New Mexico | $82,780 |
| Colorado | $79,830 |
| Nebraska | $79,140 |
| Texas | $77,840 |
| North Dakota | $71,280 |
| Utah | $70,400 |
| Alabama | $67,400 |
| Mississippi | $67,290 |
| New York | $67,000 |
| California | $65,520 |
| Ohio | $63,600 |
| Arizona | $62,920 |
| Florida | $61,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,780 |
| Virginia | $61,410 |
| Wyoming | $61,000 |
| Kansas | $60,600 |
| Tennessee | $58,780 |
| North Carolina | $57,760 |
| West Virginia | $57,020 |
| Oklahoma | $55,160 |
| Michigan | $54,020 |
| Louisiana | $49,410 |
| Kentucky | $38,520 |
| Arkansas | $37,700 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Anchorage, AK | $85,470 |
| Dallas, TX | $81,360 |
| Tyler, TX | $79,640 |
| Houston, TX | $79,450 |
| Midland, TX | $78,260 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $75,660 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $69,120 |
| Canton, OH | $63,600 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,310 |
| Farmington, NM | $62,730 |
| Odessa, TX | $59,560 |
| Casper, WY | $57,750 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $57,700 |
| Abilene, TX | $56,540 |
| Tulsa, OK | $56,160 |
In other countries
Rotary Drill Operator belongs to the international group "Well drillers and borers and related workers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Derrick Operator$58,620
- 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 rotary drill operator make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $32.64 ($67,890 a year).
How much does a rotary drill operator make a month?
About $5,658 a month before tax, based on a median of $67,890 a year.
How much does a rotary drill operator make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $47,010 or less a year ($22.60 an hour); the top 10% make $101,900 or more.
Which state pays rotary drill operators the most?
Alaska, with a median of $85,470 a year, followed by New Mexico ($82,780) and Colorado ($79,830).
Which city pays rotary drill operators the most?
Anchorage, AK, with a median of $85,470 a year.
How many rotary drill operators are there in the United States?
About 12,600 people work as rotary drill 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.