Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas: 12,600 jobs, median pay $67,890

12,600

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$67,890

Median pay a year

Middle half: $53,810–$81,360

1,100

Annual openings

10-year change: +0.8%

No formal educational credential

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 18 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $79,450 · LCA filings 02,100$79,4500

Oklahoma City, OKMedian pay $55,160 · LCA filings 01,040$55,1600

Midland, TXMedian pay $78,260 · LCA filings 0490$78,2600

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $81,360 · LCA filings 0470$81,3600

Lafayette, LAMedian pay $49,190 · LCA filings 0400$49,1900

Odessa, TXMedian pay $59,560 · LCA filings 0230$59,5600

Tulsa, OKMedian pay $56,160 · LCA filings 0220$56,1600

Bakersfield–Delano, CAMedian pay $75,660 · LCA filings 0190$75,6600

Casper, WYMedian pay $57,750 · LCA filings 090$57,7500

San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXMedian pay $63,310 · LCA filings 090$63,3100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Anchorage, AKEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$85,470400

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployment 470 · LCA filings 0$81,3604700

Tyler, TXEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$79,640800

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployment 2,100 · LCA filings 0$79,4502,1000

Midland, TXEmployment 490 · LCA filings 0$78,2604900

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $73,715 · Level III $88,109 · Level IV $102,482$59,342$73,715$88,109$102,482

Oklahoma City, OKLevel II $54,350 · Level III $59,405 · Level IV $64,480$49,275$54,350$59,405$64,480

Midland, TXLevel II $69,285 · Level III $80,600 · Level IV $91,936$57,949$69,285$80,600$91,936

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $68,973 · Level III $81,515 · Level IV $94,078$56,410$68,973$81,515$94,078

Lafayette, LALevel II $38,854 · Level III $46,675 · Level IV $54,517$31,013$38,854$46,675$54,517

Odessa, TXLevel II $55,578 · Level III $68,557 · Level IV $81,557$42,578$55,578$68,557$81,557

Tulsa, OKLevel II $54,226 · Level III $60,715 · Level IV $67,226$47,715$54,226$60,715$67,226

Bakersfield–Delano, CALevel II $68,890 · Level III $83,138 · Level IV $97,406$54,621$68,890$83,138$97,406

Casper, WYLevel II $54,246 · Level III $65,874 · Level IV $77,522$42,598$54,246$65,874$77,522

San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXLevel II $56,098 · Level III $68,370 · Level IV $80,662$43,805$56,098$68,370$80,662

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology