What Does it Take to Be an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator?
Job Description: Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill hole.
List of Oil & Gas Derrick Operator Job Duties
- Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
- Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.
- Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
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What an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator Should Know
These are the skills Oil and Gas Derrick Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Types of Oil and Gas Derrick Operator
- Gas Derrick Operator
- Rotary Derrick Operator
- Oil Derrick Operator
- Derrick Man
- Driller
What Kind of Oil & Gas Derrick Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 11,100 jobs for Oil and Gas Derrick Operator in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 25.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,800 new jobs for Oil and Gas Derrick Operator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,800 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Oil & Gas Derrick Operator are Wyoming, North Dakota, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, or Florida. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Oil and Gas Derrick Operators Salary
Oil and Gas Derrick Operators make between $33,290 and $64,960 a year.
Oil and Gas Derrick Operators who work in North Dakota, Wyoming, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Oil and Gas Derrick Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,960 |
| Arkansas | $40,680 |
| California | $52,300 |
| Colorado | $51,390 |
| Kansas | $43,330 |
| Louisiana | $47,550 |
| Michigan | $43,130 |
| Mississippi | $46,590 |
| Montana | $49,950 |
| New Mexico | $48,310 |
| North Dakota | $59,550 |
| Oklahoma | $48,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,540 |
| Texas | $44,920 |
| Utah | $45,860 |
| Wyoming | $55,040 |
What Tools do Oil and Gas Derrick Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Oil and Gas Derrick Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
How to Become an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator
Education needed to be an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator?
Where Oil and Gas Derrick Operators Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Oil and Gas Derrick Operators employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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