SOC 47-5023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas — Houston
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · 5 metro areas compared
At $57,970, median pay for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in Houston, TX tracks the national median of $60,190 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $57,970, median pay for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in Houston, TX tracks the national median of $60,190 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $48,710 and $63,290. The lowest tenth earn under $40,410, while the highest tenth earn more than $80,170.
Employment stands at 440, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Midland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $63,730. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 351st of 699 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,410 | −32.9% |
| 25th | $48,710 | −19.1% |
| Median (50th) | $57,970 | −3.7% |
| 75th | $63,290 | +5.2% |
| 90th | $80,170 | +33.2% |
| Mean | $59,100 | −1.8% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $63,730 | 60 | |
| 2 | Austin | $61,550 | 170 | |
| 3 | Dallas | $60,670 | 420 | |
| 4 | San Antonio | $57,840 | 160 | |
| 5 | College Station | $52,000 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houston run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $57,970 goes as far as $59,701 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$59,701US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,970 a year, 3.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,410 to $80,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 440 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Midland, at $63,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in Houston, TX?
The median annual wage is $57,970, or $27.87 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 $60,190, so pay in Houston, TX is 3.7% 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 Houston, TX earns more than $80,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,410 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 Midland, at $63,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 440 jobs in this occupation in Houston, TX. 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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