Oil, Gas and Mining Service Unit Operators: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Job description

Oil, Gas and Mining Service Unit Operators operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. May also perform similar services in mining exploration operations. Includes fishing-tool technicians.

• Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
• Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
• Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
• Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.

Salary

Oil, Gas and Mining Service Operators with little to no experience tend to make between $32430 and $37990 while the more experienced ones can earn over $61630 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as an Oil, Gas and Mining Service Unit Operator is to move to a higher paying state like AK. Right now, the highest paying states for Oil, Gas and Mining Service Operators are AK, NM, ND, MT and MS.

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

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

Requirements

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

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being an Oil, Gas and Mining Service Unit Operator.

What is the job like

63% of Oil, Gas and Mining Service 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

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.

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