Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC code 47-5013 · O*NET-SOC 47-5013.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$58,160
a year
Hourly
$27.96
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$62,470
$30.04 per hour
Middle 50%
$47,480 – $73,230
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,940 – $97,560
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
43,140
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $38,940
- $18.72/hr
- 25th percentile
- $47,480
- $22.83/hr
- Median percentile
- $58,160
- $27.96/hr
- 75th percentile
- $73,230
- $35.21/hr
- 90th percentile
- $97,560
- $46.90/hr
What do service unit operators, oil and gas do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.
- Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 63% 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
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)63%
- Less than a High School Diploma37%
Common questions
How much does a service unit operators, oil and gas earn?
The national median is $58,160 a year. The full range runs from $38,940 at the 10th percentile to $97,560 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 service unit 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 Thinking3.8/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Engineering and Technology3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Sales and Marketing3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Troubleshooting, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance.