Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Explore safer careers (5)
Lower estimated automation risk
Why it fits
Rig maintenance, troubleshooting, pumps, and mechanical systems provide a practical base for machinery repair.
Why it fits
Wellsite hazard awareness, inspections, incident prevention, and safety procedures support a safety technician move.
Why it fits
Reuses heavy equipment awareness, site communication, safety checks, and work around moving loads.
Why it fits
Reuses wellsite equipment, pipe and tool handling, pumps, pressure awareness, and oilfield procedures.
Why it fits
Very direct move within drilling crews, reusing rig setup, mud circulation knowledge, signals, and wellsite safety.
Occupation snapshot
What does this snowflake show?
What's this?
We rate jobs using four factors. These are:
- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions
These are some key things to think about when job hunting.
Risk & user votes
Calculated automation risk
High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.
More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.
Human strengths important in this job
These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.
Decision-making and problem solving
Quite importantWhy this matters
Coordinating others’ work
Quite importantWhy this matters
Coaching and developing others
Quite importantWhy this matters
What users think
Based on 14 votes
What do you think the risk of automation is?
What is the likelihood that Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?
Pay & outlook
Wages
In 2024, the median annual wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas was $62,740 ($30 per hour).
The median annual wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas was 26.7% higher than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.
View wage trend
Wages over time
Growth
The number of 'Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas' job openings is expected to rise 0.5% by 2034
View employment trend
Total employment, and estimated job openings
Updated projections are due 09-2025.
Volume
As of 2024 there were 11,040 people employed as 'Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas' within the United States.
This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country
Put another way, around 1 in 13 thousand people are employed as 'Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas'.
People also viewed
Job description
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
O*NET-SOC code: 47-5011.00
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