What Does it Take to Be an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator?
Occupation Description Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill hole.
Daily Life Of an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator
- Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
- Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
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Things an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator Should Know How to Do
Oil and Gas Derrick Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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 & Gas Derrick Operator Jobs
- Derrick Operator
- Derrick Worker
- Gas Derrick Operator
- Derrick Hand
- Rotary Derrick Operator
Are There Job Opportunities for Oil and Gas Derrick Operators?
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
The average yearly salary of an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator ranges between $33,290 and $64,960.
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 & Technology do Oil and Gas Derrick Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Oil and Gas Derrick Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
How do I Become an Oil & Gas Derrick Operator?
Are there Oil and Gas Derrick Operators education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Oil and Gas Derrick Operators Sector
Below are examples of industries where Oil and Gas Derrick Operators work:
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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