Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Arkansas
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Arkansas earn a median of $37,700 a year ($18.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,560 for the top 10%. That is 44% lower than the national median of $67,890. Arkansas ranks 26th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.05 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $45,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| 25th percentile | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| Median | $37,700 | $18.12 |
| 75th percentile | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,560 | $35.85 |
| Average (mean) | $45,870 | $22.05 |
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 | $3,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,570.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,450 |
| Weekly | $725 |
| Hourly | $18.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas 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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $53,120 | $25.54 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $47,890 | $23.03 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Construction Laborer | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Electrician | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Carpenter | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $48,660 | $23.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Arkansas is $37,700 a year, or $18.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Arkansas earn at least $74,560 a year. The top 25% earn $48,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,430 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $37,430 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Arkansas?
About 70 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.