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Salary comparison

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas land at $58,620 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: derrick operators, oil and ga programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas is Louisiana ($86,980); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$58,620
$79,920
Hourly rate
$28.18/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$43,380
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$81,800
$128,260
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
10,590
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
0.5%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Louisiana
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas median pay.

State
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Louisiana
$86,980
$75,360
Alaska
$78,050
$102,140
Wyoming
$76,750
$78,250
North Dakota
$71,850
$81,370
Florida
$64,950
$75,790
Colorado
$64,730
$81,230
Pennsylvania
$59,720
$81,540
New Mexico
$59,570
$75,130
Utah
$56,980
$77,280
Texas
$56,100
$74,520
California
$55,480
$97,680
Ohio
$50,650
$79,580
West Virginia
$50,640
$80,060
Illinois
$45,900
$105,750
Michigan
$45,180
$78,180

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $58,620 for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.3% projected growth, compared to 0.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas get paid the most?

Louisiana is the top-paying state for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas at $86,980/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Louisiana, Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas earn $86,980 vs. $75,360 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a derrick operators, oil and gasGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →