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Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $58,620 Median per year · $28.18/hr Most earn $43,380–$81,800

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
  • Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
  • Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
  • Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
  • 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.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Support activities for mining83.0%
  • Oil and gas extraction13.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Derrick Operator is an entry-level job that usually requires only a high school diploma. Most people spend about 6 months to 1 year working on a rig in a helper role before they take on derrick work. Pay varies, so check the career page for typical pay near you and nationally.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with strong math, physical science, and shop or mechanics classes, since these build the skills for handling equipment and reading gauges.

  2. Oil Rig Helper

    6 months to 1 year

    Work on the rig floor under experienced crews, learning to handle pipe, keep equipment clean, follow safety rules, and understand how the drilling system works.

  3. Derrick Operator, Oil and Gas

    Ongoing

    Rig and operate the derrick equipment and pumps that circulate drilling mud through the drill hole, which is the career itself.

Where it can lead

  1. Rotary Drill Operator

    2 to 4 years of experience first

    You would run the rotary drilling equipment that turns the drill string and controls drilling speed and depth, which takes more experience with the full drilling process and its controls.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, mechanics, or auto classesHands-on mechanical skills help you understand how the pumps and equipment on a rig work.
  • Take math and physical scienceBasic math, measurement, and physics help with reading gauges and understanding pressure and fluid flow.
  • Get a first aid and CPR certificationSafety training is valued on drilling sites and is often available through schools, the Red Cross, or local fire departments.
  • Find a summer or part-time jobFarm, construction, or warehouse work shows employers you can handle physical labor and teamwork.
  • Stay fit and reliableRig work is demanding and often involves long shifts, so building strength and good attendance now helps.

In college

  • Consider a welding or industrial maintenance certificateCommunity colleges often offer short certificate programs that teach hands-on skills employers in oil and gas look for.
  • Take courses in mechanics, hydraulics, or electrical systemsThese classes build the equipment knowledge you'll use to keep derrick systems and pumps running.
  • Complete an OSHA-style safety training courseWorkplace safety certifications show employers you understand the hazards of drilling sites.
  • Work or intern with an oilfield or construction companyReal field experience, even part-time, is what most employers look for and helps you start at the helper level.
  • Join a trade or skilled-trades student clubClubs and competitions connect you with local employers and help you practice teamwork and technical skills.

Tips for getting started

  • Get a basic first aid and CPR course now. Oil and gas employers value workers who already know safety basics, and it's usually inexpensive or free through schools or community groups.
  • Look for summer or part-time work on farms, construction sites, or with a local oilfield service company. Any job that teaches you to work hard, show up on time, and follow safety rules helps.
  • Stay physically fit and get a driver's license. Rig work is physically demanding, and many sites require people to get to remote locations on their own.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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