Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas out-earn Construction Laborers by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas land at $67,890 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: rotary drill operators, oil and ga programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is Alaska ($85,470); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas or Construction Laborers?
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earn more nationally. The median is $67,890 for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas or Construction Laborers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas or Construction Laborers?
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas get paid the most?
Alaska is the top-paying state for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas at $85,470/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earn $85,470 vs. $58,060 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.