Occupation salary profile

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

SOC 47-5011 BLS OEWS May 2025

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

National median · BLS
$58,620
▼ -6.57% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$60,210
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
10,590
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$43,380
25th$49,880
Median (50th)$58,620
75th$71,610
90th — top pay$81,800

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

BLS projects employment of derrick operators, oil and gas to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 900 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
10,700 → 10,900
+200 jobs
Projected change
+1.6%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
900
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Plus less than 5 years experience
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
0.5% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need no formal education →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Operations Monitoring4.0
  • Operation and Control3.9
  • Critical Thinking3.5
  • Monitoring3.4
  • Repairing3.4
  • Speaking3.4
  • Active Listening3.3
  • Complex Problem Solving3.3
  • Quality Control Analysis3.3
  • Troubleshooting3.3
Top knowledge areas
  • Mechanical3.6
  • Mathematics3.3
  • English Language3.2
  • Education and Training3.0
  • Public Safety and Security2.8
  • Transportation2.8
  • Administration and Management2.7
  • Building and Construction2.5
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Word

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What derrick operators, oil and gas do

  • Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
  • Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
  • Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
  • Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
  • Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
  • Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
  • Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
  • Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
Also called
Derrick HandDerrick ManDerrickhandDerrickmanDerrick OperatorDerrick WorkerFloor HandRig HandRoughneck
More job titles for this occupation (5)
Fracturing Derrick OperatorGas Derrick OperatorOil Derrick OperatorRotary Derrick OperatorWell Service Derrick Worker

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.