Oil and Gas Derrick Operators: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Oil and Gas Derrick Operators

Oil and Gas Derrick Operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

Salary
$50280
Becoming One
Very Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Oil and Gas Derrick Operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill hole.

  • Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
  • Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
  • Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
  • Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
Read more about what does an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$47630 per year

Average hourly wage
$23 per hour


Oil and Gas Derrick Operators with little to no experience tend to make between $33290 and $38580 while the more experienced ones can earn over $55420 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
ND $29 $59,550
AK $27 $55,960
WY $26 $55,040
CA $25 $52,300
CO $25 $51,390

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator is to move to a higher paying state like ND. Right now, the highest paying states for Oil and Gas Derrick Operators are ND, AK, WY, CA and CO.

However, a higher pay at ND doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at ND might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other Oil and Gas Derrick Operators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had less than a High School Diploma followed by a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Well Drilling/Driller
Read more about how to become an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is very easy to get into this career. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Salary is below average
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
63%

Is this job meaningful
56%


63% of Oil and Gas Derrick Operators said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Builders and The Organizers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.



Learn more about Oil and Gas Derrick Operators

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Oil and Gas Derrick Operators job description, Oil and Gas Derrick Operators salary, Oil and Gas Derrick Operators information, what is the job of an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator like, pros and cons about Oil and Gas Derrick Operators, colleges and universities for Oil and Gas Derrick Operators, is Oil and Gas Derrick Operators the right career for me, careers in Construction and Extraction

Similar careers

Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Driller, Floor Hand, Gas Derrick Operator, Oil Derrick Operator, Rotary Derrick Operator, Well Service Derrick Worker

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