SOC 47-5011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas — California
California · 1 metro areas compared
At $55,480, median pay for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in California tracks the national median of $58,620 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $55,480, median pay for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in California tracks the national median of $58,620 closely. Pay ranges from under $52,760 at the tenth percentile to more than $71,470 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $52,770 to $68,920.
California ranks number 12th out of 19 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bakersfield records the highest median at $52,780. Of the 793 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 542nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,760 | −10.0% |
| 25th | $52,770 | −10.0% |
| Median (50th) | $55,480 | −5.4% |
| 75th | $68,920 | +17.6% |
| 90th | $71,470 | +21.9% |
| Mean | $59,400 | +1.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakersfield | $52,780 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $55,480 buys what $50,117 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 14.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$55,480as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,117US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $55,480 a year, 5.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,760 to $71,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 12th of 19 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bakersfield, at $52,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in California?
The median annual wage is $55,480, or $26.67 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,620, so pay in California is 5.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $71,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,760 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Bakersfield, at $52,780 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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