Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
Also called: Derrick Hand · Derrick Man · Derrick Operator · Derrick Worker · Floor Hand
Median pay (national)
$62,740
$42,930–$84,620 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
11,040
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+0.5%
~1,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for derrick operators, oil and gas shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $84,620 versus $42,930 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $62,740 leaves roughly 35% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +0.5% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 16 states with released data, Louisiana pays the most for this role (median $84,410, +35% vs the national median), while Michigan sits lowest at $45,260 — a 87% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Speaking, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
- 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.
- Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
- Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
- Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.
- Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Administration and Management
- Building and Construction