Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Virginia
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Virginia earn a median of $61,410 a year ($29.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,070 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $67,890. Virginia ranks 16th of 26 states for rotary drill operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.03 rotary drill operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $62,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| 25th percentile | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Median | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| 75th percentile | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,070 | $34.65 |
| Average (mean) | $62,470 | $30.03 |
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 | $5,117.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,558.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,361.92 |
| Weekly | $1,180.96 |
| Hourly | $29.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $78,260 | $37.62 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $61,990 | $29.81 |
| Construction Laborer | $43,560 | $20.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| Electrician | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Carpenter | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,160 | $27.48 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Virginia is $61,410 a year, or $29.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rotary drill operators, oil and gas make in Virginia?
The top 10% of rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Virginia earn at least $72,070 a year. The top 25% earn $63,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for rotary drill operators, oil and gas in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,320 a year, and a quarter of rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn $55,830 or less.
How many rotary drill operators, oil and gas work in Virginia?
About 110 rotary drill operators, oil and gas are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.