Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX make a median of $79,150 a year, or about $38.05 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $142K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.63), that's roughly $80,249 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,573/month, or 28.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $79K get you in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
About rotary drill operators, oil and gas
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Entry-level rotary drill operators, oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K.Top earners bring in $142K or more - a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $99K | +53% | 410 |
| Alaska | $87K | +33% | 170 |
| New Mexico | $86K | +32% | 650 |
| Minnesota | $80K | +23% | 50 |
| Alabama | $77K | +19% | 90 |
| Arizona | $76K | +16% | 60 |
| Florida | $75K | +16% | 110 |
| North Dakota | $70K | +7% | 280 |
| Utah | $69K | +6% | 200 |
| Arkansas | $68K | +4% | 30 |
| Texas | $66K | +2% | 5,940 |
| Oklahoma | $65K | +0% | 1,570 |
| Mississippi | $62K | -4% | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $62K | -4% | 440 |
| Ohio | $61K | -6% | 160 |
Track rotary drill operators, oil and gas salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median is $79,150 a year - that works out to about $38.05 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,930, and experienced rotary drill operators, oil and gas can clear $142,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,339/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,573/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a rotary drill operators, oil and gas salary go in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has a Regional Price Parity of 98.63 (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 rotary drill operators, oil and gas salary is worth about $80,249 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do rotary drill 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.