Published on

Best States for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas: Highest-paid Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas by State

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Carter A
    Twitter

Rotary drill operators in the oil and gas industry are responsible for operating drilling equipment to extract oil and natural gas from the earth's surface.

This article will explore the best states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.

Key Takeaways

  • The highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas are in California, where they earn an average of $77,440 per year.
  • The lowest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas are in Alabama, where they earn an average of $34,940 per year.
  • The U.S. average salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas is $58,786 per year.

1. California ($77,440)

California Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in California earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in California is $77,440, which is +32% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$77,440
10th Percentile$37,880
25th Percentile$49,870
75th Percentile$105,290
90th Percentile$108,040

2. Colorado ($77,320)

Colorado Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Colorado earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Colorado is $77,320, which is +32% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$77,320
10th Percentile$49,800
25th Percentile$76,910
75th Percentile$84,230
90th Percentile$97,500

3. North Dakota ($76,610)

North Dakota Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in North Dakota earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Dakota is $76,610, which is +30% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$76,610
10th Percentile$56,230
25th Percentile$66,880
75th Percentile$76,480
90th Percentile$76,520

4. Missouri ($74,180)

Missouri Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Missouri earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Missouri is $74,180, which is +26% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$74,180
10th Percentile$57,730
25th Percentile$73,320
75th Percentile$79,910
90th Percentile$81,300

5. Minnesota ($73,700)

Minnesota Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Minnesota earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Minnesota is $73,700, which is +25% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$73,700
10th Percentile$48,250
25th Percentile$53,460
75th Percentile$101,100
90th Percentile$103,180

6. Alaska ($71,760)

Alaska Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Alaska earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Alaska is $71,760, which is +22% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$71,760
10th Percentile$39,160
25th Percentile$48,160
75th Percentile$84,230
90th Percentile$104,930

7. Wyoming ($69,120)

Wyoming Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Wyoming earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Wyoming is $69,120, which is +18% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$69,120
10th Percentile$50,510
25th Percentile$55,700
75th Percentile$77,550
90th Percentile$105,160

8. Louisiana ($67,860)

Louisiana Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Louisiana earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Louisiana is $67,860, which is +15% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$67,860
10th Percentile$38,710
25th Percentile$47,070
75th Percentile$81,740
90th Percentile$91,500

9. New Mexico ($67,190)

New Mexico Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in New Mexico earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in New Mexico is $67,190, which is +14% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$67,190
10th Percentile$40,060
25th Percentile$56,160
75th Percentile$76,730
90th Percentile$95,630

10. New York ($63,600)

New York Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in New York earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in New York is $63,600, which is +8% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$63,600
10th Percentile$49,240
25th Percentile$53,550
75th Percentile$63,940
90th Percentile$81,880

Conclusion

The highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas are in California, where they earn an average of $77,440 per year. The lowest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas are in Alabama, where they earn an average of $34,940 per year. The U.S. average salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas is $58,786 per year and there are 11,752 jobs in the field.