47 Series · SOC 47-5012

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$67,890
Median / year
$101,860
Top 10% earn
+0.2%
Growth '23–'33
12,600
US workers

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earn a median of $67,890 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $67,890, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $47,010 (10th percentile) to $101,860 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 12,600 US workers. Alaska pays the most ($85,470), since pay varies by state and metro area.

47 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earn a median of $67,890, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 60% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Construction and Extraction, it ranks #12 of 60 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 0.2% by 2033.

$67,890
Median annual wage
Top 40%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#12 of 60
in Construction and Extraction
2.2×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Alaska at $85,470. Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas (SOC 47-5012) pays a national median of $67,890 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $47,010 at the 10th percentile to $101,860 at the 90th, with a mean of $72,130 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 12,600 Americans work in this occupation across 26 reporting states and 34 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +0.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,200 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is No formal educational credential, with less than 5 years of prior experience generally required and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 12.4 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.5 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Alaska pays the highest state median at $85,470, which is +26% above the national figure. The top metro is Anchorage, AK at $85,470 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 12,600 jobs Median $67,890/yr

Median Salary

$67,890

per year

Median Hourly

$32.64/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$72,130

average

Employment

12,600

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$67,890 Top 40% higher than 60% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 47-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas sits on the slower-growing side at +0.2% growth and $67,890 median pay.

Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas sits on the slower-growing side at +0.2% growth and $67,890 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $40000$50000$60000$70000$80000$90000 -5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas sits on the slower-growing side at +0.2% growth and $67,890 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+0.2%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

1,200

per year (projected)

Typical Education

No formal educational credential

Work Experience

Less than 5 years

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

12.4/100K

Injury Rate

3.5/100

Danger Index

20.2/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Critical Thinking 3.6
Operations Monitoring 3.6
Operation and Control 3.6
Monitoring 3.5
Active Listening 3.4
Instructing 3.4
Speaking 3.3
Coordination 3.3
Reading Comprehension 3.1
Complex Problem Solving 3.1

Knowledge Areas

Mechanical 3.9
Mathematics 3.8
Administration and Management 3.3
Education and Training 3.2
Personnel and Human Resources 3.1
Public Safety and Security 2.8
Chemistry 2.8
Production and Processing 2.7
Transportation 2.7
Engineering and Technology 2.6

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
  • ▸ Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
  • ▸ Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
  • ▸ Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
  • ▸ Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
  • ▸ Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
  • ▸ Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
  • ▸ Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
  • ▸ Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
  • ▸ Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$47,010$53,810$67,890$81,360$101,860
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$22.60$25.87$32.64$39.12$48.97
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$47,010

25th Percentile

$53,810

Median

$67,890

75th Percentile

$81,360

90th Percentile

$101,860

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Alaska $85,470 2. New Mexico $82,780 3. Colorado $79,830 4. Nebraska $79,140 5. Texas $77,840

Lowest Paying States

22. Arkansas $37,700 23. Kentucky $38,520 24. Louisiana $49,410 25. Michigan $54,020 26. Oklahoma $55,160
View all 26 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Alaska $85,470 +26% above national
2 New Mexico $82,780 +22% above national
3 Colorado $79,830 +18% above national
4 Nebraska $79,140 +17% above national
5 Texas $77,840 +15% above national
6 North Dakota $71,280 +5% above national
7 Utah $70,400 +4% above national
8 Alabama $67,400 1% below national
9 Mississippi $67,290 1% below national
10 New York $67,000 1% below national
11 California $65,520 3% below national
12 Ohio $63,600 6% below national
13 Arizona $62,920 7% below national
14 Florida $61,970 9% below national
15 Pennsylvania $61,780 9% below national
16 Virginia $61,410 10% below national
17 Wyoming $61,000 10% below national
18 Kansas $60,600 11% below national
19 Tennessee $58,780 13% below national
20 North Carolina $57,760 15% below national
21 West Virginia $57,020 16% below national
22 Oklahoma $55,160 19% below national
23 Michigan $54,020 20% below national
24 Louisiana $49,410 27% below national
25 Kentucky $38,520 43% below national
26 Arkansas $37,700 44% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Anchorage, AK $85,470 2. Alaska nonmetropolitan area $84,490 3. Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $81,740 4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $81,360 5. Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $81,120

Lowest Paying Metros

30. North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $49,000 31. Lafayette, LA $49,190 32. Charleston, WV $51,380 33. Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $52,000 34. Oklahoma City, OK $55,160
View all 34 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Anchorage, AK $85,470 +26% above national
2 Alaska nonmetropolitan area $84,490 +24% above national
3 Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $81,740 +20% above national
4 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $81,360 +20% above national
5 Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $81,120 +19% above national
6 Tyler, TX $79,640 +17% above national
7 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $79,450 +17% above national
8 Midland, TX $78,260 +15% above national
9 Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $75,730 +12% above national
10 Bakersfield-Delano, CA $75,660 +11% above national
11 Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $75,390 +11% above national
12 High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area $74,660 +10% above national
13 West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $71,280 +5% above national
14 Grand Junction, CO $69,120 +2% above national
15 Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $69,050 +2% above national
16 Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $67,760 same as national
17 Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $64,110 6% below national
18 Canton-Massillon, OH $63,600 6% below national
19 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $63,310 7% below national
20 Farmington, NM $62,730 8% below national
21 Kansas nonmetropolitan area $61,410 10% below national
22 Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $60,320 11% below national
23 Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $60,130 11% below national
24 Odessa, TX $59,560 12% below national
25 Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $58,030 15% below national
26 Casper, WY $57,750 15% below national
27 Wichita Falls, TX $57,700 15% below national
28 Abilene, TX $56,540 17% below national
29 Tulsa, OK $56,160 17% below national
30 Oklahoma City, OK $55,160 19% below national
31 Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $52,000 23% below national
32 Charleston, WV $51,380 24% below national
33 Lafayette, LA $49,190 28% below national
34 North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $49,000 28% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 47 (construction and extraction) with comparable pay and career paths.

Boilermakers

SOC 47-2011

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SOC 47-2021

Carpenters

SOC 47-2031

Carpet Installers

SOC 47-2041

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

SOC 47-2051
Compare Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make? ▼
The median annual salary for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is $67,890 ($32.64/hour). The salary range spans from $47,010 at the 10th percentile to $101,860 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas the most? ▼
Alaska pays the highest median salary for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas at $85,470/year, which is +26% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is No formal educational credential. Less than 5 years of related work experience is also typically required. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas? ▼
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 12.4 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.5 per 100 workers.
Is Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas a good career? ▼
Employment for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 1,200 openings are projected each year.
How does Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay vary by state? ▼
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $85,470/year, while Oklahoma pays the least at $55,160/year. BLS data covers 26 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is Anchorage, AK at $85,470/year. BLS reports wage data for 34 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $81,360/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Alaska leads at $85,470/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.