Skilled Trades
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
Median salary (BLS)
$58,620
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$43k – $82k
Job outlook
+1% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Entry / Junior
$43,380
~2 yrs to advance
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Established
$58,620
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Senior
$70,210
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
- •Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
- •Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- •Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.