Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Alabama
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Alabama earn a median of $67,400 a year ($32.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,610 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $67,890. Alabama ranks 8th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.02 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.23). The average (mean) salary is $74,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| 25th percentile | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Median | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| 75th percentile | $91,810 | $44.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,610 | $57.99 |
| Average (mean) | $74,520 | $35.83 |
Half of rotary drill 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 | $5,616.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,808.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,592.31 |
| Weekly | $1,296.15 |
| Hourly | $32.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $85,470 |
| New Mexico | $82,780 |
| Colorado | $79,830 |
| Nebraska | $79,140 |
| Texas | $77,840 |
| North Dakota | $71,280 |
| Utah | $70,400 |
| Alabama | $67,400 |
| Mississippi | $67,290 |
| New York | $67,000 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $67,020 | $32.22 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $49,350 | $23.72 |
| Construction Laborer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Electrician | $55,690 | $26.78 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,670 | $28.21 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5012. 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 rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Alabama?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Alabama is $67,400 a year, or $32.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Alabama?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Alabama earn at least $120,610 a year. The top 25% earn $91,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,700 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $50,790 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Alabama?
About 40 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.