How much does a roustabout make?
The median roustabout in the United States earns $46,960 per year, about $22.58 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all roustabouts earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5071.
Roustabout salary range
Pay for roustabouts spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,420 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $64,530. The average (mean) wage of $49,200 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 | $36,420 | $17.51 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,850 | $18.68 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,960 | $22.58 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $58,120 | $27.94 | |
| 90th percentile | $64,530 | $31.03 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for roustabouts, oil and gas (SOC 47-5071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Roustabout salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Roustabouts earn the most in Alaska at $60,810 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $44,850. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $60,810 | 430 |
| North Dakota | $60,480 | 2,460 |
| Montana | $58,800 | 200 |
| Florida | $57,080 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $53,340 | 40 |
| Indiana | $51,740 | 100 |
| Michigan | $51,720 | 290 |
| Ohio | $51,230 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $50,370 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $50,000 | 2,220 |
| Alabama | $49,400 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $49,240 | 420 |
| Colorado | $49,050 | 1,620 |
| California | $48,880 | 660 |
| Utah | $48,270 | 740 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,520 | 1,610 |
| Oklahoma | $47,260 | 2,730 |
| Wyoming | $46,660 | 1,180 |
| Illinois | $46,500 | 290 |
| Kansas | $46,220 | 570 |
| Texas | $45,950 | 24,430 |
| Arkansas | $44,960 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $44,850 | 3,460 |
State median wages for roustabouts, oil and gas (SOC 47-5071), 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 roustabouts
The BLS projects employment of roustabouts to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 45,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 47,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,100 openings a year for roustabouts. 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 roustabout
The typical entry-level education for roustabouts is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. 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 roustabout 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, $60,810) and the lowest (Louisiana, $44,850) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 44,970 people work as roustabouts in the United States. At $46,960 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Roustabout salary FAQ
How much does a roustabout make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a roustabout is $22.58. The middle half of roustabouts earn between $18.68 and $27.94 per hour.
What is the highest roustabout salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of roustabouts earn more than $64,530 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a roustabout make a year?
The median annual salary for a roustabout is $46,960. The average (mean) wage of $49,200 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 roustabout a well paid job?
At $46,960 a year, a roustabout earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 44,970 people work as roustabouts in the United States.
Which state pays roustabouts the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for roustabouts at $60,810 a year. North Dakota ($60,480) and Montana ($58,800) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a roustabout a good career?
Employment of roustabouts is projected to grow 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a roustabout?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for roustabouts as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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