Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary in West Virginia
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in West Virginia earn a median of $50,640 a year ($24.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,800 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $58,620. West Virginia ranks 14th of 19 states for derrick operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.08 derrick operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for derrick operators, oil and gas in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| 25th percentile | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Median | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| 75th percentile | $71,390 | $34.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Average (mean) | $57,620 | $27.70 |
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 | $4,220 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,110 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,947.69 |
| Weekly | $973.85 |
| Hourly | $24.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia 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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $74,950 | $36.04 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $61,330 | $29.49 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $56,250 | $27.04 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $63,550 | $30.55 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $55,540 | $26.70 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $65,610 | $31.54 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $51,300 | $24.66 |
| Construction Laborer | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $80,060 | $38.49 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for derrick operators, oil and gas in West Virginia is $50,640 a year, or $24.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid derrick operators, oil and gas make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of derrick operators, oil and gas in West Virginia earn at least $72,800 a year. The top 25% earn $71,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for derrick operators, oil and gas in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,660 a year, and a quarter of derrick operators, oil and gas earn $49,520 or less.
How many derrick operators, oil and gas work in West Virginia?
About 60 derrick operators, oil and gas are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.