How much does a derrick operator make?
The median derrick operator in the United States earns $58,620 per year, about $28.18 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all derrick operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5011.
Derrick operator salary range
Pay for derrick operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,380 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $81,800. The average (mean) wage of $60,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,380 | $20.86 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 | |
| Median (50th) | $58,620 | $28.18 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $71,610 | $34.43 | |
| 90th percentile | $81,800 | $39.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for derrick operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Derrick operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Derrick operators earn the most in Louisiana at $86,980 a year, and the least in Michigan at $45,180. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 | 890 |
| Alaska | $78,050 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 | 490 |
| Florida | $64,950 | 60 |
| Colorado | $64,730 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 | 880 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 | 580 |
| Utah | $56,980 | 80 |
| Texas | $56,100 | 5,810 |
| California | $55,480 | N/A |
| Ohio | $50,650 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $50,640 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 | 50 |
| Alabama | $49,350 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $47,340 | 200 |
| Illinois | $45,900 | N/A |
| Michigan | $45,180 | 40 |
State median wages for derrick operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for derrick operators
The BLS projects employment of derrick operators to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for derrick operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a derrick operator
The typical entry-level education for derrick operators is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a derrick operator earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Louisiana, $86,980) and the lowest (Michigan, $45,180) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 10,590 people work as derrick operators in the United States. At $58,620 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Derrick operator salary FAQ
How much does a derrick operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a derrick operator is $28.18. The middle half of derrick operators earn between $23.98 and $34.43 per hour.
What is the highest derrick operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of derrick operators earn more than $81,800 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a derrick operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a derrick operator is $58,620. The average (mean) wage of $60,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a derrick operator a well paid job?
At $58,620 a year, a derrick operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 10,590 people work as derrick operators in the United States.
Which state pays derrick operators the most?
Louisiana has the highest median salary for derrick operators at $86,980 a year. Alaska ($78,050) and Wyoming ($76,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a derrick operator a good career?
Employment of derrick operators is projected to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a derrick operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for derrick operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Construction & Trades salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.