Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in New Mexico
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in New Mexico earn a median of $59,570 a year ($28.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,800 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $58,620. New Mexico ranks 8th of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay. There are 1.0 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 14.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,140, close to the median.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,670 | $15.22 |
| 25th percentile | $48,680 | $23.40 |
| Median | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| 75th percentile | $71,810 | $34.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| Average (mean) | $57,140 | $27.47 |
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 | $4,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,291.15 |
| Weekly | $1,145.58 |
| Hourly | $28.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | $52,640 | 180 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $82,780 | $39.80 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $54,840 | $26.37 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Electrician | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Carpenter | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,440 | $29.54 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in New Mexico is $59,570 a year, or $28.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in New Mexico earn at least $74,800 a year. The top 25% earn $71,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,670 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $48,680 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in New Mexico?
About 880 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.