Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in 2026
How Much Do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gass Make?
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gass earn a median annual salary of $65,010 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $42,750 at the 10th percentile to $98,510 at the 90th percentile — a range of $55,760. The highest-paying state is California at $99,470.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,750 |
| 25th percentile | $52,600 |
| Median (50th) | $65,010 |
| 75th percentile | $81,550 |
| 90th percentile | $98,510 |
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $99,470 |
| Alaska | $86,750 |
| New Mexico | $85,540 |
| Minnesota | $79,760 |
| Alabama | $77,240 |
| Colorado | $76,290 |
| Arizona | $75,540 |
| Florida | $75,410 |
| North Dakota | $69,560 |
| Utah | $68,660 |
| Arkansas | $67,800 |
| Texas | $66,430 |
| Oklahoma | $65,080 |
| Mississippi | $62,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,350 |
| Ohio | $61,380 |
| Louisiana | $60,930 |
| Virginia | $59,750 |
| Kansas | $58,580 |
| West Virginia | $58,040 |
| Wyoming | $56,600 |
| Michigan | $54,070 |
| South Carolina | $50,850 |
| North Carolina | $43,950 |
| Kentucky | $42,000 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gass
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$42,750 – $52,600 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$65,010 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$81,550 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $98,510+ |
How to Earn More as a Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gass in Bakersfield-Delano, CA earn $101,350 — $36,340 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($81,550) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gasthis career | $65,010 |
| Construction Equipment Operator | $58,710 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitter | $62,970 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $62,740 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $57,980 |
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SOC: 47-5012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.