Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in North Carolina
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in North Carolina earn a median of $57,760 a year ($27.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,470 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $67,890. North Carolina ranks 20th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.01 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.12). The average (mean) salary is $58,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Median | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| 75th percentile | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Average (mean) | $58,370 | $28.06 |
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 | $4,813.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,406.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,221.54 |
| Weekly | $1,110.77 |
| Hourly | $27.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $56,320 | $27.08 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Construction Laborer | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,270 | $36.19 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Carpenter | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $66,080 | $31.77 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Carolina is $57,760 a year, or $27.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Carolina earn at least $97,470 a year. The top 25% earn $60,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,420 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $36,680 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in North Carolina?
About 50 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.