Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Oklahoma
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Oklahoma earn a median of $55,160 a year ($26.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,910 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $67,890. Oklahoma ranks 22nd of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 1.00 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 12.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Oklahoma
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| 25th percentile | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| Median | $55,160 | $26.52 |
| 75th percentile | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Average (mean) | $60,770 | $29.21 |
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 | $4,596.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,298.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,121.54 |
| Weekly | $1,060.77 |
| Hourly | $26.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oklahoma at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in cities in Oklahoma
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $56,160 | 220 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $55,160 | 1,040 |
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 Oklahoma
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $55,180 | $26.53 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $54,180 | $26.05 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Construction Laborer | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $73,040 | $35.11 |
| Electrician | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $47,970 | $23.06 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Oklahoma is $55,160 a year, or $26.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Oklahoma?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Oklahoma earn at least $79,910 a year. The top 25% earn $75,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Oklahoma?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,180 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $50,200 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Oklahoma?
About 1,700 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in Oklahoma, not counting the self-employed.