Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary
The median pay for a derrick operators, oil and gas in Lubbock, TX is $47,690/year ($22.93/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.32), which stretches that salary to about $52,223 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $973/month, or 28.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $48K get you in Lubbock?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Lubbock’s Regional Price Parity (91.32). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About derrick operators, oil and gas
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What this looks like in Lubbock
Pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in Lubbock runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $59K. Rent runs $973/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.32 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in metros near Lubbock, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $63K | $64K |
| Midland | $56K | $59K |
| Odessa | $53K | $57K |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $49K | $52K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lubbock, TX
Entry-level derrick operators, oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $62K or more, a $34K 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 Lubbock numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a derrick operators, oil and ga afford a 2BR apartment alone in Lubbock?
Yes — at the median salary of $48K, rent takes 28.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $973/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in Lubbock?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new derrick operators, oil and gas typically earn — is $28K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,672/month. At HUD’s $973/month FMR, rent would take 58% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is derrick operators, oil and ga a high-paying job in Lubbock?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $48K here vs. $59K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Lubbock compare to the national average for derrick operators, oil and gas?
Lubbock pays $48K median vs. the U.S. average of $59K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.32), the purchasing-power equivalent is $52K — below the national median.
How much do derrick operators, oil and gas make in Lubbock, TX?
The median is $47,690 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,860, and experienced derrick operators, oil and gas can clear $61,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Lubbock?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,363/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $973/month, which eats 28.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a derrick operators, oil and gas salary go in Lubbock?
Lubbock has a Regional Price Parity of 91.32 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median derrick operators, oil and gas salary is worth about $52,223 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.