Roustabout
Build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.
- $46,960
- 1–3 months
Energy & Utilities career
Oilfield Service Operator
Also called: Well Service Operator · Frac Operator · Workover Rig Operator · Wireline Operator
What oilfield service operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an oilfield service operator do?
Service unit operators in oil and gas operate equipment to increase well flow, remove obstructions, and complete or repair wells, including workover rigs, fracturing and wireline units. The median pay is $58,160 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–2 years on the job, and employment is projected to grow +1.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$58,160$27.96/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.1%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year3,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to train1–2 years on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs43,800Employment, 2025
What oilfield service operators do
Service operators keep wells producing. They run workover rigs that pull and replace tubing and pumps, operate hydraulic fracturing pumps and blenders, run wireline and coiled tubing units into wells, perform cementing and acidizing jobs, and maintain their trucks and equipment.
No formal education is required, but operators need a few years of field experience and usually a CDL. Pay is good with overtime, and the work follows oil and gas activity.
Typical duties
- Operate workover, frac or wireline units
- Rig up and rig down equipment
- Pull and run tubing and rods
- Pump fluids and chemicals
- Monitor pressures and rates
- Maintain trucks and equipment
- Follow well control and safety rules
Work environment and schedule
Operators work outdoors at well sites, running heavy equipment and trucks, in all weather.
Schedule: Days are long, with rotations or extended hours depending on job type.
A day in the life
- Pre-trip inspect trucks at the yard.
- Drive to the well site.
- Rig up the workover unit.
- Pull rods and tubing to replace a pump.
See a full day in the life of an oilfield service operator →
Oilfield Service Operator salary
Half of oilfield service operators earned more than $58,160 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,940 for the lowest 10% to $97,560 for the top 10%.
Full oilfield service operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an oilfield service operator
- Get safety training
- Start as a helper
- Earn a CDL
- Qualify as an operator
- Advance
No formal education is required. Operators need field experience and on-the-job training; a CDL is common.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an oilfield service operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Workover rig operation
- Pumping operations
- Pressure control
- CDL driving
- Rigging
People skills
- Teamwork
- Focus
- Reliability
- Communication
All oilfield service operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good pay with overtime
- Variety of jobs and sites
- No degree required
- Skills with CDL
Cons
- Long hours
- Industry cycles
- Physical and hazardous work
- Weather exposure
Certifications and licenses
- CDL Class A: Required for driving service units.
- IADC WellSharp: Well control training.
- SafeLand and H2S Clear: Safety training.
- Company equipment qualifications: Equipment-specific.
Career path
- Helper: Learn equipment.
- Operator: Run units.
- Lead Operator: Lead crews.
- Field Supervisor: Manage jobs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Oilfield Service Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as rig up a workover unit and pressure test equipment, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Rotary Drill Operator
Run the drilling rig and lead the floor crew drilling oil and gas wells.
- $67,890
- Under 5 years of rig experience
Truck Driver
Haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
- $58,640
- 3–7 weeks
Wellhead Pumper
Keep oil and gas wells producing by checking and adjusting pumps and equipment.
- $69,960
- Under 5 years of experience
Compare: Oilfield Service Operator vs. Roustabout · Oilfield Service Operator vs. Rotary Drill Operator · Oilfield Service Operator vs. Truck Driver · Oilfield Service Operator vs. Wellhead Pumper
Oilfield Service Operator FAQ
Do service operators need a CDL?
Usually, to drive service units.
Is the work steady?
It follows drilling and production activity.
Is experience required?
Most start as helpers.
How much does an oilfield service operator make?
The median annual wage for oilfield service operators was $58,160 ($27.96 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,940 and the highest 10% earned more than $97,560.
How long does it take to become an oilfield service operator?
Most people need about 1–2 years on the job of training. No formal education is required. Operators need field experience and on-the-job training; a CDL is common.
Do you need a degree to be an oilfield service operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More oilfield service operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-5013 (Service unit operators, oil and gas).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Service unit operators, oil and gas (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.