The average salary for a derrick operator in the United States is around $58,620 per year.
Avg Salary
Derrick operators earn an average yearly salary of $58,620.
Wages typically start from $43,380 and go up to $81,800.
14% below national average Updated in 2025
Derrick operator earnings by seniority
Top-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$39.33 per hour
$81,800 per year
Senior-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$34.43 per hour
$71,610 per year
Mid-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$28.18 per hour
$58,620 per year
Junior-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$23.98 per hour
$49,880 per year
Starting level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$20.86 per hour
$43,380 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Derrick operator salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 |
| Alaska | $78,050 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 |
| Florida | $64,950 |
| Colorado | $64,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 |
| Utah | $56,980 |
| Texas | $56,100 |
| California | $55,480 |
| Ohio | $50,650 |
| West Virginia | $50,640 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 |
| Alabama | $49,350 |
| Montana | $48,110 |
| Mississippi | $47,340 |
| Illinois | $45,900 |
| Michigan | $45,180 |
| Kansas | $39,290 |
How do derrick operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Derrick operators earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than wind turbine services technicians but more than recreational vehicle service technicians.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind turbine services technician salary | $64K |
| Industrial machinery mechanic salary | $65K |
| Rigger salary | $63K |
| Hydroelectric plant technician salary | $62K |
| Mining machine operator salary | $62K |
| Derrick operator salary | $59K |
| Auto body repairer salary | $55K |
| Machine assembler salary | $54K |
| Farm equipment mechanic salary | $57K |
| Recreational vehicle service technician salary | $52K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)