Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas: 10,590 jobs, median pay $58,620

10,590

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$58,620

Median pay a year

Middle half: $49,880–$71,610

900

Annual openings

10-year change: +1.6%

No formal educational credential

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 12 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $62,910 · LCA filings 01,560$62,9100

Midland, TXMedian pay $56,120 · LCA filings 0580$56,1200

Odessa, TXMedian pay $53,130 · LCA filings 0390$53,1300

Oklahoma City, OKMedian pay $62,370 · LCA filings 0260$62,3700

Farmington, NMMedian pay $52,640 · LCA filings 0180$52,6400

San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXMedian pay $48,880 · LCA filings 0160$48,8800

Lubbock, TXMedian pay $47,690 · LCA filings 0120$47,6900

Tyler, TXMedian pay $63,190 · LCA filings 0120$63,1900

Greeley, COMedian pay $55,040 · LCA filings 090$55,0400

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $69,700 · LCA filings 070$69,7000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Casper, WYEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$76,840300

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$69,700700

Tyler, TXEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$63,1901200

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 1,560 · LCA filings 0$62,9101,5600

Oklahoma City, OKEmployment 260 · LCA filings 0$62,3702600

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $55,744 · Level III $64,002 · Level IV $72,238$47,507$55,744$64,002$72,238

Midland, TXLevel II $52,936 · Level III $58,240 · Level IV $63,523$47,653$52,936$58,240$63,523

Odessa, TXLevel II $50,731 · Level III $54,538 · Level IV $58,365$46,904$50,731$54,538$58,365

Oklahoma City, OKLevel II $58,344 · Level III $61,464 · Level IV $64,563$55,245$58,344$61,464$64,563

Farmington, NMLevel II $46,134 · Level III $51,771 · Level IV $57,387$40,518$46,134$51,771$57,387

San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXLevel II $41,808 · Level III $46,613 · Level IV $51,397$37,024$41,808$46,613$51,397

Lubbock, TXLevel II $37,086 · Level III $45,406 · Level IV $53,706$28,787$37,086$45,406$53,706

Tyler, TXLevel II $55,432 · Level III $59,842 · Level IV $64,272$51,002$55,432$59,842$64,272

Greeley, COLevel II $49,525 · Level III $52,666 · Level IV $55,827$46,363$49,525$52,666$55,827

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $64,147 · Level III $70,574 · Level IV $77,022$57,699$64,147$70,574$77,022

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology