How much does a rotary drill operator make?
The median rotary drill operator in the United States earns $67,890 per year, about $32.64 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all rotary drill operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5012.
Rotary drill operator salary range
Pay for rotary drill operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,010 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $101,860. The average (mean) wage of $72,130 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 | $47,010 | $22.60 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $53,810 | $25.87 | |
| Median (50th) | $67,890 | $32.64 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,360 | $39.12 | |
| 90th percentile | $101,860 | $48.97 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for rotary drill operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Rotary drill operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Rotary drill operators earn the most in Alaska at $85,470 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $37,700. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $85,470 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $82,780 | 580 |
| Colorado | $79,830 | 110 |
| Nebraska | $79,140 | 40 |
| Texas | $77,840 | 5,980 |
| North Dakota | $71,280 | 230 |
| Utah | $70,400 | N/A |
| Alabama | $67,400 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $67,290 | 130 |
| New York | $67,000 | 50 |
| California | $65,520 | 460 |
| Ohio | $63,600 | 290 |
| Arizona | $62,920 | 30 |
| Florida | $61,970 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,780 | 390 |
| Virginia | $61,410 | 110 |
| Wyoming | $61,000 | 200 |
| Kansas | $60,600 | 130 |
| Tennessee | $58,780 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $57,760 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $57,020 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $55,160 | 1,700 |
| Michigan | $54,020 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $49,410 | 910 |
| Kentucky | $38,520 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $37,700 | 70 |
State median wages for rotary drill operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5012), 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 rotary drill operators
The BLS projects employment of rotary drill operators to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 12,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 12,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for rotary drill 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 rotary drill operator
The typical entry-level education for rotary drill 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 moderate-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 rotary drill 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 (Alaska, $85,470) and the lowest (Arkansas, $37,700) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,600 people work as rotary drill operators in the United States. At $67,890 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Rotary drill operator salary FAQ
How much does a rotary drill operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a rotary drill operator is $32.64. The middle half of rotary drill operators earn between $25.87 and $39.12 per hour.
What is the highest rotary drill operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of rotary drill operators earn more than $101,860 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a rotary drill operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a rotary drill operator is $67,890. The average (mean) wage of $72,130 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 rotary drill operator a well paid job?
At $67,890 a year, a rotary drill operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,600 people work as rotary drill operators in the United States.
Which state pays rotary drill operators the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for rotary drill operators at $85,470 a year. New Mexico ($82,780) and Colorado ($79,830) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a rotary drill operator a good career?
Employment of rotary drill operators is projected to hold roughly steady 0.8% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a rotary drill operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for rotary drill operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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