Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in North Dakota
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in North Dakota earn a median of $71,280 a year ($34.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,970 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $67,890. North Dakota ranks 6th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.54 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,280 | $25.14 |
| 25th percentile | $60,310 | $29.00 |
| Median | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| 75th percentile | $101,490 | $48.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,970 | $50.47 |
| Average (mean) | $79,670 | $38.30 |
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 | $5,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,970 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,741.54 |
| Weekly | $1,370.77 |
| Hourly | $34.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $71,850 | $34.55 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $90,380 | $43.45 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Electrician | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| Carpenter | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $54,870 | $26.38 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Dakota is $71,280 a year, or $34.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Dakota earn at least $104,970 a year. The top 25% earn $101,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,280 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $60,310 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in North Dakota?
About 230 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.