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.
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC: 47-5013 O*NET: 47-5013.00
Median Salary
$57,980
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$40,010
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,330
25th percentile
Median
$57,980
50th percentile
Experienced
$70,510
75th percentile
Top Earners
$93,820
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$40,010
25th
$47,330
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$57,980
Mean: $61,530
75th
$70,510
90th
$93,820
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $53,810 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,330 and $70,510
- •Salary spread is 40.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 44,120 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:45,200
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction89.8%
Support Activities for Mining66.1%
Support Activities for Mining66.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.4%
Annual Openings:4,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)45,200
Current
2034 (Projected)45,400
+0.4%
+200
Employment Change
+0.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 27 locations
Texas
16,900 jobs$51,7104.27x
Louisiana
3,290 jobs$53,0206.01x
California
3,190 jobs$66,0600.62x
North Dakota
3,080 jobs$62,34025.40x
Oklahoma
2,910 jobs$56,5306.01x
Colorado
2,730 jobs$59,7803.30x
New Mexico
2,080 jobs$58,0808.44x
Pennsylvania
1,920 jobs$56,1301.12x
Utah
1,300 jobs$55,5702.66x
Alaska
1,290 jobs$98,93014.09x
Kansas
890 jobs$44,1502.16x
Wyoming
800 jobs$59,46010.06x
Ohio
760 jobs$52,3800.48x
West Virginia
620 jobs$54,6003.08x
Montana
400 jobs$61,8502.75x
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
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Operation and Control
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Troubleshooting
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Equipment Maintenance
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Management of Personnel Resources
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Equipment Maintenance
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
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics82%
5 shared skills
Continuous Mining Machine Operators67%
5 shared skills
Motorboat Operators67%
5 shared skills
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic67%
5 shared skills
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers67%
5 shared skills
Sailors and Marine Oilers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Maintenance
- →Active Listening
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Troubleshooting
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 Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft SharePoint
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
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
CONSTANT
💡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
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Operations & Execution (3)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Close and seal wells no longer in use.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution82% perform88%
8
Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Perforate well casings or sidewalls of boreholes with explosive charges.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% 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 Service Unit 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?
Service Unit 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 Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.48
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.22
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.19
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.13
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.12
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.03
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Initiative
4.2
Leadership
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
💡 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 equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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