Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas salary in North Dakota
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas in North Dakota earn a median of $60,810 a year ($29.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,410 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $58,160. North Dakota ranks 10th of 27 states for service unit operators, oil and gas pay. There are 7.0 service unit operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 25.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for service unit operators, oil and gas in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| 25th percentile | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Median | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| 75th percentile | $77,840 | $37.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,410 | $42.51 |
| Average (mean) | $64,310 | $30.92 |
Half of service unit 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 | $5,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,533.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,338.85 |
| Weekly | $1,169.42 |
| Hourly | $29.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,810 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.
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $59,400 | 380 |
Highest-paying states for service unit operators, oil and gas
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $106,480 |
| Missouri | $90,580 |
| Montana | $77,750 |
| New Mexico | $64,990 |
| Nebraska | $62,990 |
| California | $62,580 |
| Wyoming | $62,560 |
| Florida | $62,050 |
| Ohio | $61,260 |
| North Dakota | $60,810 |
Related jobs in North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $71,850 | $34.55 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| 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 47-5013. 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 service unit operators, oil and gas make in North Dakota?
The median salary for service unit operators, oil and gas in North Dakota is $60,810 a year, or $29.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid service unit operators, oil and gas make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of service unit operators, oil and gas in North Dakota earn at least $88,410 a year. The top 25% earn $77,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for service unit operators, oil and gas in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,600 a year, and a quarter of service unit operators, oil and gas earn $49,290 or less.
How many service unit operators, oil and gas work in North Dakota?
About 3,000 service unit operators, oil and gas are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.