Roustabouts, Oil and Gas Salary
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas in North Dakota make a median of $60,480 a year, or about $29.08 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $68,039 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 25.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in North Dakota?
About roustabouts, oil and gas
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What this looks like in North Dakota
North Dakota sits well above the national pay line for roustabouts, oil and gas, local pay runs about 29% higher than the U.S. median of $47K. Rent runs $1,034/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, North Dakota
Entry-level roustabouts, oil and gas (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $78K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas salary by metro in North Dakota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $50K | -17% | 220 |
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Frequently asked questions
Can a roustabouts, oil and ga afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 25.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for roustabouts, oil and gas in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new roustabouts, oil and gas typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,331/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is roustabouts, oil and ga a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Local pay is 29% above the national median — $60K here vs. $47K nationally.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for roustabouts, oil and gas?
North Dakota pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $47K — that’s +29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do roustabouts, oil and gas make in North Dakota?
The median is $60,480 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,850, and experienced roustabouts, oil and gas can clear $78,290. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,121/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 25.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a roustabouts, oil and gas salary go in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 roustabouts, oil and gas salary is worth about $68,039 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do roustabouts, 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.