Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Texas
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Texas earn a median of $56,100 a year ($26.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,690 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $58,620. Texas ranks 11th of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.41 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| 25th percentile | $49,760 | $23.92 |
| Median | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| 75th percentile | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,690 | $35.91 |
| Average (mean) | $57,690 | $27.74 |
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 | $4,675 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,337.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,157.69 |
| Weekly | $1,078.85 |
| Hourly | $26.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler, TX | $63,190 | 120 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $62,910 | 1,560 |
| Midland, TX | $56,120 | 580 |
| Odessa, TX | $53,130 | 390 |
| Abilene, TX | $50,650 | 40 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $48,880 | 160 |
| Lubbock, TX | $47,690 | 120 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $77,840 | $37.43 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $61,290 | $29.46 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $56,600 | $27.21 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Construction Laborer | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Electrician | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $50,460 | $24.26 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in Texas is $56,100 a year, or $26.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in Texas?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in Texas earn at least $74,690 a year. The top 25% earn $68,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,840 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $49,760 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in Texas?
About 5,810 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.