Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in North Dakota
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in North Dakota earn a median of $71,850 a year ($34.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,040 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $58,620. North Dakota ranks 4th of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.1 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 16.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| 25th percentile | $68,360 | $32.87 |
| Median | $71,850 | $34.55 |
| 75th percentile | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,040 | $38.48 |
| Average (mean) | $73,210 | $35.20 |
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 | $5,987.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,993.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,763.46 |
| Weekly | $1,381.73 |
| Hourly | $34.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $90,380 | $43.45 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Electrician | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| Carpenter | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $54,870 | $26.38 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in North Dakota is $71,850 a year, or $34.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in North Dakota earn at least $80,040 a year. The top 25% earn $76,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,380 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $68,360 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in North Dakota?
About 490 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.