Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Also called: Pulling Unit Operator · Reverse Unit Operator · Rig Operator · Service Operator · Service Rig Operator · Tool Pusher
Median pay (national)
$57,980
$40,010–$93,820 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
44,120
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+0.4%
~4,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for service unit operators, oil and gas shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $93,820 versus $40,010 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $57,980 leaves roughly 62% 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 +0.4% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 4,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 27 states with released data, Alaska pays the most for this role (median $98,930, +71% vs the national median), while Virginia sits lowest at $38,380 — a 158% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening 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
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
- Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
- Close and seal wells no longer in use.
- 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.
- Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
Tools & technology
- SAP software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Data logger software
- Inventory tracking software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Time and attendance software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing