Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Career, Salary and Skills
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $58,620 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 10,590. Wage data is published for 33 locations.
Occupation description
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
O*NET code
47-5011.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
Less than a High School Diploma
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$58,620
Hourly median
$28.18
Employment
10,590
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Operation and Control | 3.88 | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.50 | 3.12 |
| Repairing | 3.38 | 3.62 |
| Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Speaking | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.25 | 2.88 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.25 | 3.62 |
Typical tasks
- Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
- 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.
Technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in TXMedian $56,100 · Employment 5,810
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Houston, TXMedian $62,910 · Employment 1,560
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in LAMedian $86,980 · Employment 890
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in NMMedian $59,570 · Employment 880
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Midland, TXMedian $56,120 · Employment 580
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in OKMedian $58,270 · Employment 580
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in NDMedian $71,850 · Employment 490
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Odessa, TXMedian $53,130 · Employment 390
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in COMedian $64,730 · Employment 290
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Oklahoma City, OKMedian $62,370 · Employment 260
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in MSMedian $47,340 · Employment 200
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Farmington, NMMedian $52,640 · Employment 180
Related careers
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- MillwrightsNational median $65,700
- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and BlastersNational median $61,390
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except EnginesNational median $65,510
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment OperatorsNational median $53,340
- Industrial Truck and Tractor OperatorsNational median $46,420
- RiggersNational median $62,640
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface MiningNational median $57,430
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.