SOC 47-5011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas — Eastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Eastern New Mexico, NM is $56,870 per year, close to the national median of $58,620 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Eastern New Mexico, NM is $56,870 per year, close to the national median of $58,620 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $31,660 at the tenth percentile to more than $72,770 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $40,850 to $59,730.
Employment stands at 490, or 2.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Farmington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $52,640. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 184th of 370 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,660 | −46.0% |
| 25th | $40,850 | −30.3% |
| Median (50th) | $56,870 | −3.0% |
| 75th | $59,730 | +1.9% |
| 90th | $72,770 | +24.1% |
| Mean | $53,480 | −8.8% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | $52,640 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $56,870 goes as far as $61,681 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$56,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,681US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,870 a year, 3.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,660 to $72,770 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 490 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Farmington, at $52,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in Eastern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $56,870, or $27.34 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 Eastern New Mexico, NM is 3.0% 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 Eastern New Mexico, NM earns more than $72,770 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,660 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 Farmington, at $52,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 490 jobs in this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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