How much does a rotary drill operator make in Houston?
$79,450a year
Median yearly pay for rotary drill operators in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area. That is $38.20 an hour or $6,621 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.20
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 18
- Jobs in the area
- 2,100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $51,400Median: $79,450Highest 10%: $134,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,400 | $24.71 | |
| 25th | $65,240 | $31.37 | |
| Median | $79,450 | $38.20 | |
| 75th | $99,240 | $47.71 | |
| 90th | $134,900 | $64.84 |
Other cities in Texas
Median yearly pay for rotary drill operators.
| Dallas, TX | $81,360 |
| Tyler, TX | $79,640 |
| Midland, TX | $78,260 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,310 |
| Odessa, TX | $59,560 |
| Abilene, TX | $56,540 |
Related jobs in Houston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer | $104,400 |
| Boilermaker | $77,090 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $76,020 |
| Pile Driver Operator | $70,030 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $66,780 |
| Extraction Worker | $64,740 |
| Derrick Operator | $62,910 |
| Plumber | $61,300 |
| Electrician | $59,180 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $58,030 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rotary drill operator make an hour in Houston?
The median hourly pay in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $38.20 ($79,450 a year).
Do rotary drill operators make more in Houston than the national average?
Yes: $79,450 against $67,890 nationally, 17% more.
How does Houston compare with the rest of Texas?
The median in Texas is $77,840, so Houston pays 2% more.
Where does Houston rank for rotary drill operator pay?
4 of 18 metro areas with data.
How much does a rotary drill operator make starting out in Houston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $51,400 or less a year; the top 10% make $134,900 or more.
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.