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Skilled Trades

Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.

Median salary (BLS)

$58,160

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$39k – $98k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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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. 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. 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 "Service Unit 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

  1. Junior Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

    Entry / Junior

    $38,940

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

    Established

    $58,160

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

    Senior

    $77,860

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
  • •Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
  • •Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
  • •Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
  • •Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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