Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary
The median pay for a derrick operators, oil and gas in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $69,700/year ($33.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers.
So what does $70K get you in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
About derrick operators, oil and gas
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in metros near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Greeley | $55K | , |
| Oklahoma City | $62K | $69K |
| Farmington | $53K | $60K |
| Casper | $77K | $82K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Entry-level derrick operators, oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K. Top earners bring in $84K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $87K | +48% | 890 |
| Alaska | $78K | +33% | 170 |
| Wyoming | $77K | +31% | 140 |
| North Dakota | $72K | +23% | 490 |
| Florida | $65K | +11% | 60 |
| Colorado | $65K | +10% | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $60K | +2% | 140 |
| New Mexico | $60K | +2% | 880 |
| Oklahoma | $58K | -1% | 580 |
| Utah | $57K | -3% | 80 |
| Texas | $56K | -4% | 5,810 |
| California | $55K | -5% | N/A |
| Ohio | $51K | -14% | 120 |
| West Virginia | $51K | -14% | 60 |
| Arkansas | $50K | -15% | 50 |
| Alabama | $49K | -16% | N/A |
| Mississippi | $47K | -19% | 200 |
| Illinois | $46K | -22% | N/A |
| Michigan | $45K | -23% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 19 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track derrick operators, oil and gas salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Denver-Aurora-Centennial numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a derrick operators, oil and ga afford a 2BR apartment alone in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $70K, rent takes 45.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new derrick operators, oil and gas typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,068/month.
Is derrick operators, oil and ga a high-paying job in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Local pay is 19% above the national median — $70K here vs. $59K nationally.
How does Denver-Aurora-Centennial compare to the national average for derrick operators, oil and gas?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial pays $70K median vs. the U.S. average of $59K — that’s +19%.
How much do derrick operators, oil and gas make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median is $69,700 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,140, and experienced derrick operators, oil and gas can clear $84,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,529/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 45.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a derrick operators, oil and gas salary go in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median derrick operators, oil and gas salary is worth about $69,700 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do derrick operators, oil and gas get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.