Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Colorado
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Colorado earn a median of $64,730 a year ($31.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,330 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $58,620. Colorado ranks 6th of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.10 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,450 | $22.81 |
| 25th percentile | $55,150 | $26.52 |
| Median | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| 75th percentile | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Average (mean) | $65,740 | $31.61 |
Half of derrick operators, oil and gas earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,394.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,697.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,489.62 |
| Weekly | $1,244.81 |
| Hourly | $31.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $69,700 | 70 |
| Greeley, CO | $55,040 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for derrick operators, oil and gas
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 |
| Alaska | $78,050 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 |
| Florida | $64,950 |
| Colorado | $64,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 |
| Utah | $56,980 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $60,290 | $28.98 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $64,820 | $31.16 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,900 | $23.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a derrick operators, oil and gas make in Colorado?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in Colorado is $64,730 a year, or $31.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in Colorado?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in Colorado earn at least $79,330 a year. The top 25% earn $77,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,450 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $55,150 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in Colorado?
About 290 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.