Derrick Operator
Work high in the drilling rig handling pipe and managing drilling mud.
- $58,620
- Under 5 years of rig experience
Energy & Utilities career
Rotary Drill Operator
Also called: Driller · Oil and Gas Driller · Rig Driller · Directional Drilling Operator
What rotary drill 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 a rotary drill operator do?
Rotary drill operators set up and operate drilling equipment for oil and gas wells, controlling drilling speed and pressure and leading the rig floor crew. The median pay is $67,890 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Under 5 years of rig experience, and employment is projected to grow +0.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$67,890$32.64/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.8%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year1,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainUnder 5 years of rig experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs12,700Employment, 2025
What rotary drill operators do
Drillers run the rig. From the driller’s cabin they control the drawworks, top drive and pumps, manage weight on bit and drilling speed, watch for well control signs, supervise floorhands and derrickhands, and keep records. They coordinate with directional drillers, mud engineers and company representatives.
No formal education is required, but drillers need years of rig experience and well control certification. Pay is high, and drillers can advance to toolpusher and rig manager.
Typical duties
- Operate drilling controls
- Control weight on bit and rotation
- Monitor well control indicators
- Supervise the floor crew
- Coordinate trips and pipe handling
- Maintain drilling records
- Lead safety meetings
Work environment and schedule
Drillers work on rigs from a control cabin and the rig floor, often in remote areas.
Schedule: Rigs run nonstop, with 12-hour tours on long rotations.
A day in the life
- Take handover from the night driller.
- Lead the pre-tour safety meeting.
- Drill ahead while watching torque and pressure.
- Make a connection with the floor crew.
See a full day in the life of a rotary drill operator →
Rotary Drill Operator salary
Half of rotary drill operators earned more than $67,890 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,010 for the lowest 10% to $101,860 for the top 10%.
Full rotary drill operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a rotary drill operator
- Start as a floorhand
- Become a derrickhand
- Earn well control certification
- Train as a relief driller
- Advance
No formal education is required. Drillers need years of rig experience and well control certification.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a rotary drill operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Rig operation
- Well control
- Drilling parameters
- Crew supervision
- Equipment knowledge
People skills
- Leadership
- Calm under pressure
- Communication
- Decision making
All rotary drill operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay without a degree
- Leadership role
- Rotation time off
- Advancement to rig manager
Cons
- Years of experience required
- High-stakes well control
- Long rotations
- Industry cycles
Certifications and licenses
- IADC WellSharp Driller: Well control certification.
- IADC RigPass: Rig safety.
- H2S Clear: Hydrogen sulfide safety.
- Supervisor training: Crew leadership.
Career path
- Floorhand: Work the floor.
- Derrickhand: Pipe and mud.
- Driller: Run the rig.
- Toolpusher or Rig Manager: Manage rigs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Rotary Drill Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as shut in a well after a kick and lead a pre-tour safety meeting, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Oilfield Service Operator
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Compare: Rotary Drill Operator vs. Derrick Operator · Rotary Drill Operator vs. Oilfield Service Operator · Rotary Drill Operator vs. Roustabout · Rotary Drill Operator vs. Water Well Driller
Rotary Drill Operator FAQ
How do you become a driller?
Work up from floorhand and derrickhand with well control training.
Is the pay high?
Yes, among the highest without a degree.
Is drilling work steady?
It follows oil and gas prices.
How much does a rotary drill operator make?
The median annual wage for rotary drill operators was $67,890 ($32.64 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,010 and the highest 10% earned more than $101,860.
How long does it take to become a rotary drill operator?
Most people need about Under 5 years of rig experience of training. No formal education is required. Drillers need years of rig experience and well control certification.
Do you need a degree to be a rotary drill 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 rotary drill operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-5012 (Rotary drill operators, oil and gas).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Rotary drill 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.