What You Need to Know About Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator
Example of Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator Job Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. May also perform similar services in mining exploration operations. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
A Day in the Life of an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator
- Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe.
- Insert detection instruments into wells with obstructions.
- Close and seal wells no longer in use.
- Apply green technologies or techniques such as the use of coiled tubing, slim-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, or gas lift systems.
- Operate specialized equipment to remove obstructions by backing-off or severing pipes by chemical or explosive action.
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Qualities of an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator
When polled, Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Types of Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator
- Fisherman
- Swabber
- Oil Well Service Unit Operator
- Well Cleaner
- Unit Operator
Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 41,400 jobs in the United States for Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,700 new jobs for Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,400 positions for Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator are Wyoming, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Michigan, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator Make?
Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators make between $32,430 and $78,840 a year.

Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators who work in Alaska, New Mexico, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $49,550 |
Alaska | $63,720 |
Arkansas | $52,240 |
California | $56,730 |
Colorado | $56,310 |
Florida | $44,140 |
Illinois | $45,440 |
Indiana | $44,220 |
Kansas | $42,170 |
Kentucky | $47,000 |
Louisiana | $54,000 |
Michigan | $49,860 |
Mississippi | $57,570 |
Montana | $60,480 |
New Mexico | $63,040 |
North Dakota | $60,760 |
Ohio | $55,370 |
Oklahoma | $45,930 |
Pennsylvania | $44,470 |
Tennessee | $51,750 |
Texas | $51,850 |
Utah | $54,160 |
West Virginia | $50,110 |
Wyoming | $55,410 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Inventory tracking software
- SAP software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Time and attendance software
- Data logger software
How to Become an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator
What kind of Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become an Oil, Gas, & Mining Service Unit Operator?

Where Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators Are Employed

Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming an Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Jeffrey Beall via Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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