How much does a service unit operator make?
The median service unit operator in the United States earns $58,160 per year, about $27.96 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all service unit operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5013.
Service unit operator salary range
Pay for service unit operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,940 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $97,560. The average (mean) wage of $62,470 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 | $38,940 | $18.72 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,480 | $22.83 | |
| Median (50th) | $58,160 | $27.96 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $73,230 | $35.21 | |
| 90th percentile | $97,560 | $46.90 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for service unit operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Service unit operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Service unit operators earn the most in Alaska at $106,480 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $28,280. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $106,480 | 1,090 |
| Missouri | $90,580 | 80 |
| Montana | $77,750 | 310 |
| New Mexico | $64,990 | 2,600 |
| Nebraska | $62,990 | 30 |
| California | $62,580 | 2,820 |
| Wyoming | $62,560 | 820 |
| Florida | $62,050 | 200 |
| Ohio | $61,260 | 930 |
| North Dakota | $60,810 | 3,000 |
| Louisiana | $60,760 | 3,130 |
| Colorado | $60,290 | 2,930 |
| Indiana | $56,980 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $56,680 | 2,980 |
| Utah | $56,290 | 1,060 |
| West Virginia | $56,250 | 580 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,780 | 1,520 |
| Michigan | $52,000 | 230 |
| South Dakota | $49,920 | 40 |
| Texas | $49,820 | 16,820 |
| Mississippi | $49,610 | 250 |
| Alabama | $49,490 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $48,120 | 220 |
| Kansas | $46,230 | 370 |
| New York | $45,750 | 100 |
| Illinois | $41,680 | 220 |
| Kentucky | $28,280 | 210 |
State median wages for service unit operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5013), 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 service unit operators
The BLS projects employment of service unit operators to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 43,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 44,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,800 openings a year for service unit 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 service unit operator
The typical entry-level education for service unit 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 service unit 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, $106,480) and the lowest (Kentucky, $28,280) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 43,140 people work as service unit operators in the United States. At $58,160 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Service unit operator salary FAQ
How much does a service unit operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a service unit operator is $27.96. The middle half of service unit operators earn between $22.83 and $35.21 per hour.
What is the highest service unit operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of service unit operators earn more than $97,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a service unit operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a service unit operator is $58,160. The average (mean) wage of $62,470 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 service unit operator a well paid job?
At $58,160 a year, a service unit operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 43,140 people work as service unit operators in the United States.
Which state pays service unit operators the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for service unit operators at $106,480 a year. Missouri ($90,580) and Montana ($77,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a service unit operator a good career?
Employment of service unit operators is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a service unit operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for service unit operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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