Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC: 47-5011 O*NET: 47-5011.00
Median Salary
$62,740
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
What does a Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,930
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,440
25th percentile
Median
$62,740
50th percentile
Experienced
$72,820
75th percentile
Top Earners
$84,620
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,930
25th
$49,440
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$62,740
Mean: $62,490
75th
$72,820
90th
$84,620
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $41,690 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,440 and $72,820
- •Salary spread is 37.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 11,040 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:11,300
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction95.7%
Support Activities for Mining75.4%
Support Activities for Mining75.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.5%
Annual Openings:1,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)11,300
Current
2034 (Projected)11,300
+0.5%
+100
Employment Change
+0.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 17 locations
Texas
4,840 jobs$61,6104.88x
Louisiana
1,510 jobs$84,41011.05x
New Mexico
1,070 jobs$60,20017.39x
North Dakota
730 jobs$69,84023.92x
Oklahoma
710 jobs$54,5505.88x
Colorado
360 jobs$61,3801.74x
Kansas
250 jobs$02.44x
California
250 jobs$67,0900.19x
Alaska
170 jobs$81,1807.43x
Wyoming
160 jobs$62,4008.21x
Mississippi
130 jobs$48,0601.51x
Ohio
120 jobs$49,7000.31x
West Virginia
110 jobs$57,6002.24x
Arkansas
110 jobs$50,2501.15x
Florida
80 jobs$64,3100.11x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Repairing
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Quality Control Analysis
54%
#9
Troubleshooting
46%
#10
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Repairing
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators82%
5 shared skills
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Machinists82%
5 shared skills
Sailors and Marine Oilers82%
5 shared skills
Ship Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Repairing
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.05
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.93
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.88
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.83
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.80
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Concern for Others
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Attention to Detail
3.8
Leadership
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Persistence
3.7
Integrity
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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