The average salary for an oil and gas rotary drill operator in North Dakota is around $71,280 per year.
Avg Salary
Oil and gas rotary drill operators earn an average yearly salary of $71,280.
Wages typically start from $52,280 and go up to $104,970.
15% above national average Updated in 2025
Oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings by seniority
Top-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$50.47 per hour
$104,970 per year
Senior-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$48.79 per hour
$101,490 per year
Mid-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$34.27 per hour
$71,280 per year
Junior-level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$29.00 per hour
$60,310 per year
Starting level oil and gas rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$25.14 per hour
$52,280 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Oil and gas rotary drill operator salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $85,470 |
| New Mexico | $82,780 |
| Colorado | $79,830 |
| Nebraska | $79,140 |
| Texas | $77,840 |
| Indiana | $71,540 |
| North Dakota | $71,280 |
| Utah | $70,400 |
| Alabama | $67,400 |
| Mississippi | $67,290 |
| New York | $67,000 |
| California | $65,520 |
| Ohio | $63,600 |
| Arizona | $62,920 |
| Florida | $61,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,780 |
| Virginia | $61,410 |
| Wyoming | $61,000 |
| Kansas | $60,600 |
| Tennessee | $58,780 |
| North Carolina | $57,760 |
| West Virginia | $57,020 |
| Minnesota | $56,660 |
| Oklahoma | $55,160 |
| Maryland | $55,060 |
| Michigan | $54,020 |
| Louisiana | $49,410 |
| Montana | $46,460 |
| Illinois | $44,210 |
| Kentucky | $38,520 |
| Arkansas | $37,700 |
| Georgia | $31,440 |
How do oil and gas rotary drill operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Oil and gas rotary drill operators earn about the same as related careers in North Dakota. On average, they make less than riggers but more than derrick operators.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Rigger salary | $78K |
| Occupational health specialist salary | $93K |
| Petroleum pump system operator salary | $93K |
| Non-Destructive testing specialist salary | $81K |
| Wellhead pumper salary | $80K |
| Oil and gas rotary drill operator salary | $71K |
| Aircraft mechanic salary | $78K |
| Logistician salary | $73K |
| Pump operator salary | $81K |
| Derrick operator salary | $72K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)