Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC code 47-5012 · O*NET-SOC 47-5012.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$67,890
a year
Hourly
$32.64
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$72,130
$34.68 per hour
Middle 50%
$53,810 – $81,360
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$47,010 – $101,860
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
12,600
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $47,010
- $22.60/hr
- 25th percentile
- $53,810
- $25.87/hr
- Median percentile
- $67,890
- $32.64/hr
- 75th percentile
- $81,360
- $39.12/hr
- 90th percentile
- $101,860
- $48.97/hr
What do rotary drill operators, 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
- 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.
- Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
- Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
- Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
- Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
- Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
- Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 31% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Less than a High School Diploma31%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)29%
- Some College Courses22%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9%
Common questions
How much does a rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn?
The national median is $67,890 a year. The full range runs from $47,010 at the 10th percentile to $101,860 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a rotary drill operators, oil and gas without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Speaking3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical3.9/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.1/5
- Public Safety and Security2.8/5
- Chemistry2.8/5
- Production and Processing2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Instructing, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving.