Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Louisiana
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Louisiana earn a median of $86,980 a year ($41.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,840 for the top 10%. That is 48% higher than the national median of $58,620. Louisiana ranks 1st of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.46 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,630, close to the median.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,770 | $22.01 |
| 25th percentile | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Median | $86,980 | $41.82 |
| 75th percentile | $94,540 | $45.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| Average (mean) | $77,630 | $37.32 |
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 | $7,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,624.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,345.38 |
| Weekly | $1,672.69 |
| Hourly | $41.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $44,850 | $21.56 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $53,510 | $25.73 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Electrician | $61,540 | $29.59 |
| Carpenter | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,680 | $30.62 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in Louisiana is $86,980 a year, or $41.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in Louisiana earn at least $98,840 a year. The top 25% earn $94,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,770 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $49,070 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in Louisiana?
About 890 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.