Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Texas make a median of $77,840 a year, or about $37.43 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $121K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $85,080 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,415/month, or 26.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Texas?
About rotary drill operators, oil and gas
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What this looks like in Texas
Texas sits well above the national pay line for rotary drill operators, oil and gas, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $68K. Rent runs $1,415/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (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.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Texas
Entry-level rotary drill operators, oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $121K or more, a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary by metro in Texas
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $81K | +5% | 470 |
| Tyler | $80K | +2% | 80 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $79K | +2% | 2,100 |
| Midland | $78K | +1% | 490 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $63K | -19% | 90 |
| Odessa | $60K | -23% | 230 |
| Wichita Falls | $58K | -26% | 40 |
| Abilene | $57K | -27% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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Frequently asked questions
Can a rotary drill operators, oil and ga afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
Yes — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 26.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new rotary drill operators, oil and gas typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,870/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is rotary drill operators, oil and ga a high-paying job in Texas?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $78K here vs. $68K nationally.
How does Texas compare to the national average for rotary drill operators, oil and gas?
Texas pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Texas?
The median is $77,840 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,840, and experienced rotary drill operators, oil and gas can clear $121,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,262/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 26.9% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $85,080 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.