Skilled Trades

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

Median salary (BLS)

$58,620

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$43k – $82k

Job outlook

+1% (about average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
Experience
Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.
$0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source
2
Journeyman exam & state/local license
License
Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.
$100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

Junior Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Entry / Junior
$43,380
~2 yrs to advance
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Established
$58,620
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Senior
$70,210

Key skills

A typical day

•Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
•Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
•Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
•Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
•Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.