Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary by state
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
Top skills:Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingMonitoringInstructingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay by experience level
Entry level$48,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$55,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$70,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$84,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$105,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+0.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,200
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary by industry
Support Activities for Mining
9,360 workers
$74,500
Support Activities for Mining
9,360 workers
$74,500
Oil and Gas Extraction
2,080 workers
$78,000
Oil and Gas Extraction
2,080 workers
$78,000
Specialty Trade Contractors
240 workers
$65,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
210 workers
$82,500
Other Specialty Trade Contractors
200 workers
$64,500
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
180 workers
$82,000
Pipeline Transportation
150 workers
$102,000
Other Pipeline Transportation
150 workers
$102,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pays 15% above the average across 63 roles in the Construction and Extraction job family (family average $65,000).
Similar-paying roles in Construction and Extraction
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