SOC 47-5012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas — Houston
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · 7 metro areas compared
In Houston, TX the median wage for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is $79,450 a year, which is 17.0% higher than the national figure of $67,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Houston, TX the median wage for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is $79,450 a year, which is 17.0% higher than the national figure of $67,890. Half of workers earn between $65,240 and $99,240. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $51,400 and the ninetieth at $134,860.
The area has 2,100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 7.88 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Dallas leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $81,360. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 189th of 699 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,400 | −24.3% |
| 25th | $65,240 | −3.9% |
| Median (50th) | $79,450 | +17.0% |
| 75th | $99,240 | +46.2% |
| 90th | $134,860 | +98.6% |
| Mean | $88,240 | +30.0% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | $81,360 | 470 | |
| 2 | Tyler | $79,640 | 80 | |
| 3 | Midland | $78,260 | 490 | |
| 4 | San Antonio | $63,310 | 90 | |
| 5 | Odessa | $59,560 | 230 | |
| 6 | Wichita Falls | $57,700 | 40 | |
| 7 | Abilene | $56,540 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houston run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $79,450 goes as far as $81,823 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$79,450as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$81,823US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,450 a year, 17.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,400 to $134,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dallas, at $81,360.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Houston, TX?
The median annual wage is $79,450, or $38.20 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 $67,890, so pay in Houston, TX is 17.0% 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 Houston, TX earns more than $134,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,400 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 Dallas, at $81,360 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,100 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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