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What Do Oil and Gas Derrick Operator Do?

Position Description Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill hole.

Life As an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator: What Do They Do?

Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.
String cables through pulleys and blocks.
Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.

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What an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Oil and Gas Derrick Operators say are important on the job.

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
Well Service Derrick Worker
Rotary Derrick Operator
Driller
Floor Hand

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. There will be an estimated 1,800 positions for Oil & Gas Derrick Operator per 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.

What is the Average Salary of an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator

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.

How much do Oil and Gas Derrick Operators make 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 & Technology 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 do I Become an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator?

Learn what Oil and Gas Derrick Operator education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator?

References:

Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

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