Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $69,700 a year ($33.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,180 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $58,620. Pay here is 8% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $64,730. There are 0.04 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $70,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| 25th percentile | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Median | $69,700 | $33.51 |
| 75th percentile | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| Average (mean) | $70,650 | $33.97 |
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 | $5,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,904.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,680.77 |
| Weekly | $1,340.38 |
| Hourly | $33.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,700 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $66,220 | $31.84 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,400 | $40.10 |
| Electrician | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| Carpenter | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Roofer | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $58,070 | $27.92 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $69,700 a year, or $33.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $84,180 a year. The top 25% earn $76,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,140 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $64,730 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 70 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.