Drilling Rig Operator Salary

Average Drilling Rig Operator Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$61,267 Per Year

Salary Range: $36,334 to $93,455

Drilling Rig Operator Salary

$36,334

10%

$46,405

25% 

$ 61,267

AVERAGE

$75,155

75%  

$93,455

90%  

How Much Does a Drilling Rig Operator Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Drilling Rig Operator is $61,267 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $61,267 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

SAP business and customer relations management software – Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Python – Object or component oriented development software

Salesforce software – Customer relationship management CRM software

Schlumberger Petrel E&P – Analytical or scientific software

Structure query language SQL – Data base user interface and query software

CAPSHER Technology SureTec – Industrial control software

Drillingsoftware DrillPro – Industrial control software

Knowledge and Expertise

Mechanical

Mathematics

Administration and Management

Education and Training

Personnel and Human Resources

Public Safety and Security

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking

Operations Monitoring

Operation and Control

Monitoring

Active Listening

Instructing

What is the salary range of a Drilling Rig Operator?

Drilling Rig Operator salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $61,267 but a Drilling Rig Operator can earn a base salary anywhere from $36,334 to $93,455 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Drilling Rig Operator job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Drilling Rig Operator?

The highest Drilling Rig Operator salaries in the top 10% earn more than $93,455 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $75,155 and $93,455 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Drilling Rig Operator?

The lowest Drilling Rig Operator salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $36,334 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $36,334 and $46,405 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Drilling Rig Operator?

If we only look at the data for Drilling Rig Operator salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Drilling Rig Operator job would be over $61,267 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Drilling Rig Operator would be anything over the top 75%, which is $75,155 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Drilling Rig Operator?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Drilling Rig Operator. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Drilling Rig Operator?

The top paying industries for a Drilling Rig Operator job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
  • Oil and Gas Extraction
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Drilling Rig Operator Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Drilling Rig Operator would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Drilling Rig Operator, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Drilling Rig Operator make good money?

 In general, a Drilling Rig Operator can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average Drilling Rig Operator salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Drilling Rig Operator pay is above the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 93,455 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 36,334 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Drilling Rig Operator, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Drilling Rig Operator will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Drilling Rig Operator?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Drilling Rig Operator in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Drilling Rig Operator is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Drilling Rig Operator?

The money a Drilling Rig Operator can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Drilling Rig Operator earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.