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Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Pennsylvania

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Pennsylvania

Considering working as a Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Pennsylvania? Below are the key facts. Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

What do Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Make in Pennsylvania?

The derrick operators, oil and gas working in Pennsylvania, the median annual wage is $56,850 per year (or about $27.33/hour).Annual wages span from $50,460 at the 10th percentile to $86,230 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $50,460 $24.26
25th percentile $52,530 $25.26
Median (50th) $56,850 $27.33
75th percentile $58,150 $27.96
90th percentile $86,230 $41.46
Salary ranges for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Pennsylvania

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, derrick operators, oil and gas earn a median of $42,227 per year ($20.30/hour), above the Pennsylvania median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 426,235 derrick operators, oil and gas in the U.S..

Forecasted number of jobs for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Top States for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas Employment

View the states that employ the most derrick operators, oil and gas work.

State Number Employed
Texas 4,840
Louisiana 1,510
New Mexico 1,070
North Dakota 730
Oklahoma 710
Colorado 360
California 250
Kansas 250
Alaska 170
Wyoming 160
Mississippi 130
Ohio 120
Arkansas 110
West Virginia 110
Florida 80
Michigan 70

Highest-Paying States for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Where derrick operators, oil and gas earn the most: derrick operators, oil and gas.

State Annual Median Salary
Louisiana $84,410
Alaska $81,180
North Dakota $69,840
California $67,090
Florida $64,310
Wyoming $62,400
Texas $61,610
Colorado $61,380
New Mexico $60,200
West Virginia $57,600

Skills

The most important derrick operators, oil and gas skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Operations Monitoring  4.0 / 5
0
5
Operation and Control  3.9 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.5 / 5
0
5
Monitoring  3.4 / 5
0
5
Repairing  3.4 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.4 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mechanical  3.6 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.3 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.2 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.0 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  2.8 / 5
0
5
Transportation  2.8 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for derrick operators, oil and gas, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Multilimb Coordination  4.0 / 5
0
5
Control Precision  3.9 / 5
0
5
Reaction Time  3.8 / 5
0
5
Manual Dexterity  3.8 / 5
0
5
Arm-Hand Steadiness  3.8 / 5
0
5
Static Strength  3.6 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, derrick operators, oil and gas typically:

  • Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
  • Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
  • Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
  • Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
  • Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
  • Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
  • Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
  • Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
  • Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
  • Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
  • Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
  • Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.

Work Activities

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Getting Information
  • Documenting/Recording Information

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Plumbing & Water Supply

Careers similar to derrick operators, oil and gas include:

Also Known As

Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Driller, Drilling Motorman, Floor Hand, Fracturing Derrick Operator, Gas Derrick Operator, Oil Derrick Operator, Rotary Derrick Operator, Well Service Derrick Worker.

References

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