Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in U.S.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in U.S. make a median of $65,010 a year, or about $31.26 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $65K get you in U.S.?
About rotary drill operators, oil and gas
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level rotary drill operators, oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K.Top earners bring in $99K or more - a $56K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in U.S.?
The median is $65,010 a year - that works out to about $31.26 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,750, and experienced rotary drill operators, oil and gas can clear $98,510. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,510/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 31.3% 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 rotary drill operators, oil and gas salary go in U.S.?
U.S. 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 rotary drill operators, oil and gas salary is worth about $65,010 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.