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Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas in Virginia
Considering working as a Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas in Virginia? Below are the key facts. Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
What do Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas Make in Virginia?
For a service unit operators, oil and gas working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $38,380 per year (or about $18.45/hour).Earnings range from $36,510 at the 10th percentile to $72,710 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Median (50th) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 75th percentile | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| 90th percentile | $72,710 | $34.96 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Virginia compared to the national average — is 0.05, indicating fewer service unit operators, oil and gas per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, service unit operators, oil and gas earn a median of $50,058 per year ($24.07/hour), lower than the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 74,909 service unit operators, oil and gas across the United States. In Virginia alone, around 60 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 760 service unit operators, oil and gas.
Top States for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas Employment
The table below shows the states where the most service unit operators, oil and gas work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 16,900 |
| Louisiana | 3,290 |
| California | 3,190 |
| North Dakota | 3,080 |
| Oklahoma | 2,910 |
| Colorado | 2,730 |
| New Mexico | 2,080 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,920 |
| Utah | 1,300 |
| Alaska | 1,290 |
| Kansas | 890 |
| Wyoming | 800 |
| Ohio | 760 |
| West Virginia | 620 |
| Montana | 400 |
| Michigan | 390 |
| Arkansas | 300 |
| Mississippi | 230 |
| Alabama | 170 |
| Missouri | 140 |
Highest-Paying States for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
These states pay the most for service unit operators, oil and gas.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $98,930 |
| Missouri | $87,910 |
| Florida | $69,030 |
| California | $66,060 |
| North Dakota | $62,340 |
| Montana | $61,850 |
| Colorado | $59,780 |
| Wyoming | $59,460 |
| New Mexico | $58,080 |
| Oklahoma | $56,530 |
Skills
Top service unit operators, oil and gas skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for service unit operators, oil and gas, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
- Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.
- Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
- Select fishing methods or tools for removing obstacles such as liners, broken casing, screens, or drill pipe.
- Close and seal wells no longer in use.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Training and Teaching Others
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Getting Information
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to service unit operators, oil and gas include:
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Also Known As
Coiled Tubing Operator, Fishing Tool Operator, Gather Operator, Oil Processing Technician, Oil Well Fishing Tool Technician, Oil Well Service Operator, Oil Well Service Unit Operator, Oil and Gas Equipment Operator, Oil and Gas Field Technician, Oil and Shale and Tar Processing Technician, Pulling Unit Operator, Reverse Unit Operator, Rig Operator, Service Operator, Service Rig Operator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-5013.00
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