Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Odessa, TX
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in the Odessa, TX metro area earn a median of $59,560 a year ($28.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,420 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $67,890. Pay here is 23% lower than the Texas statewide median of $77,840. There are 2.8 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 35.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Odessa, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| 25th percentile | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Median | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| 75th percentile | $78,720 | $37.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Average (mean) | $68,690 | $33.03 |
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 | $4,963.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,481.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,290.77 |
| Weekly | $1,145.38 |
| Hourly | $28.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $81,360 | 470 |
| Tyler, TX | $79,640 | 80 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $79,450 | 2,100 |
| Midland, TX | $78,260 | 490 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $63,310 | 90 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $57,700 | 40 |
| Abilene, TX | $56,540 | 50 |
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 |
See Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay in every state or the Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Odessa, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $53,130 | $25.54 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Electrician | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $55,430 | $26.65 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,870 | $29.74 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Carpenter | $52,260 | $25.12 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,870 | $23.01 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Odessa, TX
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 Odessa, TX?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in the Odessa, TX metro area is $59,560 a year, or $28.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Odessa, TX?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in the Odessa, TX metro area earn at least $99,420 a year. The top 25% earn $78,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Odessa, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,470 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $44,930 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Odessa, TX?
About 230 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in the Odessa, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.