Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $79,150 +21.8% vs national
Median hourly $38.05
10th percentile $47,930
90th percentile $142,030
Employed locally 1,660
National median $65,010

Compare Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,930
    25th
    $61,430
    50th (median)
    $79,150
    75th
    $87,420
    90th
    $142,030

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary vs area income 98% Median Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary is 2% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $101,350
    California $99,470
    Alaska $86,750
    New Mexico $85,540
    Anchorage, AK $85,470
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $85,080

    Nearby metros — Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $82,380
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $78,220
    Tyler, TX $77,650
    San Angelo, TX $73,690
    Midland, TX $64,550
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $63,310

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$38,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$75,150
    Electricians$59,180
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$50,510
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$60,230
    Carpenters$48,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make per hour in Houston?

    The median hourly wage for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Houston, TX is $38.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.84 or more per hour.

    Is Houston above or below average for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salaries?

    The median Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Houston, TX is 21.8% above the national median of $65,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Houston?

    Entry-level Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas (10th percentile) earn around $47,930 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,430.