Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Nebraska
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Nebraska earn a median of $79,140 a year ($38.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,060 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $67,890. Nebraska ranks 4th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $73,900, close to the median.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,130 | $24.10 |
| 25th percentile | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Median | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 75th percentile | $86,390 | $41.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,060 | $48.10 |
| Average (mean) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
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 | $6,595 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,297.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,043.85 |
| Weekly | $1,521.92 |
| Hourly | $38.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska 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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $58,370 | $28.06 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $51,760 | $24.88 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Electrician | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Carpenter | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $58,360 | $28.06 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Roofer | $46,460 | $22.34 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Nebraska is $79,140 a year, or $38.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Nebraska earn at least $100,060 a year. The top 25% earn $86,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,130 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $57,020 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Nebraska?
About 40 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.