Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Kentucky
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Kentucky earn a median of $38,520 a year ($18.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,030 for the top 10%. That is 43% lower than the national median of $67,890. Kentucky ranks 25th 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 0.20). The average (mean) salary is $41,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Median | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 75th percentile | $42,670 | $20.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Average (mean) | $41,720 | $20.06 |
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 | $3,210 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,605 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,481.54 |
| Weekly | $740.77 |
| Hourly | $18.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $50,360 | $24.21 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $44,000 | $21.16 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $28,280 | $13.60 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $73,490 | $35.33 |
| Carpenter | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,160 | $30.84 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Kentucky is $38,520 a year, or $18.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Kentucky earn at least $46,030 a year. The top 25% earn $42,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,270 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $37,060 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Kentucky?
About 30 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.