Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
Less than 5 years
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Derrick operators in oil and gas work in a specialized extraction role with a national workforce of about 11,000 people. This career combines physical work with mechanical awareness and on-the-job problem solving. A national median annual salary of $62,740 indicates solid earning potential for individuals prepared for demanding work environments. Employment is projected to grow by 0.5%, suggesting relatively stable demand rather than rapid expansion or contraction. With about 1,000 annual openings, there is a steady flow of opportunities for new entrants and experienced workers. Several states and metro areas show especially strong opportunity scores, giving workers options to target particular regions. For people interested in hands-on, mechanically oriented work who bring strong physical stamina and critical thinking, this occupation offers a clear path into the oil and gas field without a formal educational credential requirement. Similar occupations include extraction workers, boilermakers, rail-track equipment operators, cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders, and sailors and marine oilers.
The national median annual salary for derrick operators, oil and gas is $62,740, providing a strong benchmark for evaluating regional pay. Median salaries vary notably by state. Alaska stands out at $78,050 and North Dakota at $71,850, forming the upper range among the top opportunity states listed. Colorado offers $64,730 and Pennsylvania $59,720, while Texas shows $56,100. This range indicates that geographic choice can significantly affect earnings. At the metro level, pay also differs: Casper, WY reports a median salary of $76,840 and Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO shows $69,700, both above the national median. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX at $62,910 closely tracks the national figure, while Midland, TX and San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX are lower among the highlighted metros. Overall, workers who are flexible about location may find higher pay in selected states and metros with strong opportunity scores and higher median wages.
Derrick operators, oil and gas have national employment of about 11,000 workers, indicating a relatively specialized occupation within the broader labor market. Projected employment growth is 0.5%, pointing to modest expansion over the projection period. While this is not rapid growth, it does suggest ongoing demand rather than significant decline. The occupation is expected to see about 1,000 annual openings. This combination of small overall employment, low but positive growth, and steady openings means opportunities will likely arise through both new positions and turnover in existing roles. For job seekers, the data indicates that positions may not be abundant in every location, but there is a consistent need for qualified derrick operators. Individuals who combine the required skills with a willingness to target regions with higher opportunity scores may be better positioned to take advantage of these steady openings over time.
Location decisions can significantly shape career paths for derrick operators, oil and gas. Among states, Colorado has an opportunity score of 56.97 with a median salary of $64,730 and employment of 290, combining moderate employment with strong opportunity. Texas has by far the largest listed employment at 5,810, an opportunity score of 51.57, and a median salary of $56,100, making it a major employment center for this occupation. North Dakota (salary $71,850, score 48.53), Pennsylvania ($59,720, score 47.45), and Alaska ($78,050, score 44.30) offer higher salaries but lower employment counts. At the metro level, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO leads with an opportunity score of 57.05 and a $69,700 median salary. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX combines a high employment level of 1,560 with an opportunity score of 50.30 and median pay of $62,910. Midland and San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX, and Casper, WY round out the top metros, each balancing salary, employment, and opportunity score differently for prospective workers.
Derrick operators, oil and gas typically enter the field with no formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who are ready to focus on building skills through work experience and training rather than formal schooling. Despite the lack of a formal education requirement, the role relies on a broad mix of capabilities. Physical strength and stamina are important, along with fine motor skills and mechanical aptitude. Success also draws on problem solving and decision making, critical and analytical thinking, and solid speaking and listening abilities. Interpersonal and leadership skills matter for working effectively with others on site. Science and mathematics are also listed among the top skills, indicating that understanding basic technical and quantitative concepts can be beneficial. For career changers or new entrants, focusing on developing these skills can help build a competitive profile for this occupation and related roles such as other extraction workers or equipment operators.
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