Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Odessa, TX
The median pay for a derrick operators, oil and gas in Odessa, TX is $45,730/year ($21.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.9), which stretches that salary to about $48,701 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,595/month — about 48.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $46K get you in Odessa?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Odessa’s Regional Price Parity (93.9). 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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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Odessa, TX
Entry-level derrick operators, oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K. Top earners bring in $60K or more, a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $84K | +35% | 1,510 |
| Alaska | $81K | +29% | 170 |
| North Dakota | $70K | +11% | 730 |
| California | $67K | +7% | 250 |
| Florida | $64K | +3% | 80 |
| Wyoming | $62K | -1% | 160 |
| Texas | $62K | -2% | 4,840 |
| New Mexico | $60K | -4% | 1,070 |
| West Virginia | $58K | -8% | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $57K | -9% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $55K | -13% | 710 |
| Arkansas | $50K | -20% | 110 |
| Ohio | $50K | -21% | 120 |
| Mississippi | $48K | -23% | 130 |
| Michigan | $45K | -28% | 70 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 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 Odessa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do derrick operators, oil and gas make in Odessa, TX?
The median is $45,730 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,350, and experienced derrick operators, oil and gas can clear $59,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Odessa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,232/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,595/month, which eats 49.4% 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 Odessa?
Odessa has a Regional Price Parity of 93.9 (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 $48,701 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.