Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Louisiana
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Louisiana earn a median of $49,410 a year ($23.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,380 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $67,890. Louisiana ranks 24th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.47 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| 25th percentile | $44,170 | $21.23 |
| Median | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| 75th percentile | $70,180 | $33.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,380 | $38.16 |
| Average (mean) | $55,220 | $26.55 |
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 | $4,117.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,058.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,900.38 |
| Weekly | $950.19 |
| Hourly | $23.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA | $49,190 | 400 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $44,850 | $21.56 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $86,980 | $41.82 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $53,510 | $25.73 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Electrician | $61,540 | $29.59 |
| Carpenter | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,680 | $30.62 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Louisiana is $49,410 a year, or $23.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Louisiana earn at least $79,380 a year. The top 25% earn $70,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,990 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $44,170 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Louisiana?
About 910 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.