The median pay for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is $67,890 a year ($32.64/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 0.8% through 2035, with about 1,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 47-5012
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas in four numbers
- Median pay
- $67,890a year, or $32.64/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $102K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +0.8%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+0.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +0.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,10012,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202512.7K
- Projected 203512.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 12.7K Projected 2035 12.9K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school31.1%
- High school28.7%
- Certificate9.1%
- Some college22.2%
- Bachelor's8.9%
Highest education held by rotary drill operators, oil and gas Segment Value Less than high school 31.1% High school 28.7% Certificate 9.1% Some college 22.2% Bachelor's 8.9%
Also advertised as: Daylight Driller, Drill Operator, Driller, Motor Man, Oil Rig Driller, Oil Well Driller.
Pay
How much do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make?
Every rotary drill operator, oil and gas in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$67,890
Middle half earn $53,810 to $81,360
- 10th
- $47,010
- 25th
- $53,810
- 75th
- $81,360
- 90th
- $101,860
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,010 |
| 25th | $53,810 |
| Median | $67,890 |
| 75th | $81,360 |
| 90th | $101,860 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $67,890
- Median hourly wage
- $32.64/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $72,130
- People employed
- 12,600
Versus all US occupations
At $67,890, Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earn 33% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $16,910 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 13% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $101,860 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,010, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 42% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Alaska posts the highest raw median ($85,470), but once local prices are taken into account New Mexico leads at $89,771 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $85,470 | $83,500 | 130 |
| 2New Mexico | $82,780 | $89,771 | 580 |
| 3Colorado | $79,830 | $77,466 | 110 |
| 4Nebraska | $79,140 | $87,833 | 40 |
| 5Texas | $77,840 | $80,200 | 5,980 |
| 6North Dakota | $71,280 | $80,127 | 230 |
| 7Utah | $70,400 | $71,209 | N/A |
| 8Alabama | $67,400 | $75,881 | 40 |
| 9Mississippi | $67,290 | $77,387 | 130 |
| 10New York | $67,000 | $62,082 | 50 |
Job outlook
Is Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +0.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | +0.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas to change 0.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,100 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 12,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of oil and gas workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 9,900 openings for oil and gas workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Domestic oil and gas production is expected to support employment of these workers. In addition to many domestic uses, international demand for oil and gas products is expected to create more opportunities for U.S. producers to export their products abroad.
Getting in
How to become a Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas
Oil and gas workers typically do not need formal education to enter these occupations, but some employers require or prefer that candidates have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many require work experience in a related occupation. Oil and gas workers learn on the job.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as rotary drill operators, oil and gas.
- Less than a High School Diploma31.1%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)28.7%
- Some College Courses22.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9.1%
- Bachelor's Degree8.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 31.1% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 28.7% |
| Some College Courses | 22.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 9.1% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 8.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas do?
Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.
Oil and gas workers assemble, operate, and maintain equipment used for oil and gas exploration, extraction, and related activities.
Day-to-day tasks
- Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
- Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
- Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
- Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
- Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
- Repair or replace defective parts of machinery, such as rotary drill rigs, water trucks, air compressors, and pumps, using hand tools.
- Bolt together pump and engine parts, and connect tanks and flow lines.
- Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most oil and gas workers are full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary, depending on the job. Some crews, such as those on offshore oil rigs or in remote areas, may spend weeks away from home and work long shifts 7 days a week. Periods of working nonstandard schedules may be followed by periods of time off.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Monitoring3.5
- Active Listening3.4
- Speaking3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Writing3.0
- Learning Strategies3.0
- Active Learning2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Active Listening | 3.4 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.6
- Operation and Control3.6
- Instructing3.4
- Coordination3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Equipment Maintenance3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Operation and Control | 3.6 |
| Instructing | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Industrial control software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.8
- Investigative3.0
- Enterprising2.2
- Social1.2
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas
O*NET related occupations
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Service Unit Operator, Oil and Gas
$58,160median a year
Most earn $39K to $98K
+1.1%No formal credential - Construction and Extraction
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More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with rotary drill operators, oil and gas highlighted
- Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas$67,890
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas | $67,890 |
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within rotary drill operator, oil and gas
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas appears on
Questions
Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas: frequently asked questions
How much do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make?
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas earn a median of $67,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 33% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $32.64/hr. The middle half earn between $53,810 and $81,360. The top 10% earn $101,860 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 31.1% hold less than a high school diploma.
Is Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.8% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas do?
Oil and gas workers assemble, operate, and maintain equipment used for oil and gas exploration, extraction, and related activities. A core O*NET task: count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes. Employers most often ask for Customer relationship management CRM software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Object or component oriented development software.
Which states pay Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas the most?
The highest state medians for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas are Alaska ($85,470), New Mexico ($82,780), Colorado ($79,830) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, New Mexico moves to the top at $89,771.
What personality type suits a Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas?
O*NET scores Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.