Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in California
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in California earn a median of $65,520 a year ($31.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,130 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $67,890. California ranks 11th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.03 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $79,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| 25th percentile | $59,380 | $28.55 |
| Median | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| 75th percentile | $102,240 | $49.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,130 | $57.75 |
| Average (mean) | $79,290 | $38.12 |
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 | $5,460 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,730 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,520 |
| Weekly | $1,260 |
| Hourly | $31.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75,660 | 190 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $51,720 | $24.87 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $61,620 | $29.63 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $46.96 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in California is $65,520 a year, or $31.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in California?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in California earn at least $120,130 a year. The top 25% earn $102,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,880 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $59,380 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in California?
About 460 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.