Career comparison
Rotary Drill Operator vs. Roustabout
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Rotary drill operators earn more at the median ($67,890 vs. $46,960), while roustabouts usually get to work faster (1–3 months of training). Rotary drill operators run the drilling rig and lead the floor crew drilling oil and gas wells. Roustabouts build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Rotary Drill Operator | Roustabout | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $67,890 ($32.64/hr) | $46,960 ($22.58/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,010 – $101,860 | $36,420 – $64,530 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.8% (little or no change) | +3.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 4,100 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | Under 5 years of rig experience | 1–3 months |
| Key credential | IADC WellSharp Driller | SafeLand USA |
| Work setting | Drillers work on rigs from a control cabin and the rig floor, often in remote areas.. | Roustabouts work outdoors at well sites, tank batteries and yards, often in remote areas and harsh weather.. |
What each job does
Rotary Drill Operator
- Operate drilling controls
- Control weight on bit and rotation
- Monitor well control indicators
- Supervise the floor crew
- Coordinate trips and pipe handling
Roustabout
- Assemble and repair oilfield equipment
- Lay and repair pipelines
- Dig and backfill trenches
- Clean tanks and equipment
- Load and unload materials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, teamwork, and hands-on work. Both are part of the energy & utilities field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose rotary drill operator if…
- I want high pay without a degree
- I like leading a crew
- I stay calm under pressure
Choose roustabout if…
- I want to start without experience
- I don’t mind hard physical work
- I like working outdoors
Still torn? Take the Rotary Drill Operator fit quiz and the Roustabout fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, rotary drill operator or roustabout?
Rotary Drill Operators earn more at the median: $67,890 versus $46,960 for roustabouts, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Roustabouts typically train faster (1–3 months) than rotary drill operators (Under 5 years of rig experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects roustabouts to grow +3.6% from 2025–35, compared with +0.8% for rotary drill operators.