Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Also called: Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Derrickhand, Derrickman, Floor Hand, Fracturing Derrick Operator
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
What derrick operators, oil and gas do
Typical tasks
- Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
- Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
- Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
- Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
- Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas salary
The median annual wage for derrick operators, oil and gas is $58,620 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $43,380 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $81,800. The mean annual wage is $60,210.
The mean hourly wage of $28.00 is 3.9× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $58,620 → in 3 years $64,400 → in 5 years $68,600 → in 10 years $80,200 (10-year range $68,900–$93,100). The model assumes pay growth of +3.2% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become derrick operators, oil and gas
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as derrick operators, oil and gas
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.