SOC 47-5011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas — New Mexico
New Mexico · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas in New Mexico is $59,570 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 New Mexico is $59,570 per year, close to the national median of $58,620 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $48,680 and $71,810. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,670 and the ninetieth at $74,800.
The area has 880 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.0 of every thousand jobs. New Mexico ranks number 8th out of 19 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Farmington records the highest median at $52,640. Of the 634 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 304th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,670 | −46.0% |
| 25th | $48,680 | −17.0% |
| Median (50th) | $59,570 | +1.6% |
| 75th | $71,810 | +22.5% |
| 90th | $74,800 | +27.6% |
| Mean | $57,140 | −2.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | $52,640 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $59,570 goes as far as $64,610 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,610US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,570 a year, 1.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,670 to $74,800 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 880 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 8th of 19 states for 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 New Mexico?
The median annual wage is $59,570, or $28.64 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 New Mexico is 1.6% higher. 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 New Mexico earns more than $74,800 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,670 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 880 jobs in this occupation in New Mexico. 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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