Careers · Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas · North Dakota
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in North Dakota
Rotary drill operators set up and run drilling equipment to extract oil and gas from underground deposits or collect core samples during exploration. They work on oil and gas rigs, which may be located onshore or offshore, and are responsible for managing drill operations and ensuring equipment functions properly. In North Dakota the median pay is $71,280 a year, 5% above the national median of $67,890.
$71,280median pay in North Dakota, per year
$60,310–$101,490middle half earn
230employed in North Dakota
$67,890U.S. median, for comparison
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against rotary drill operators, oil and gas and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against rotary drill operators, oil and gas and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Critical ThinkingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringActive ListeningInstructingSpeakingCoordination
Knowledge areas
MechanicalMathematics (knowledge)Administration and ManagementEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and Security
Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas.
Licenses and training in North Dakota
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay in other states
Alaska · $85,470New Mexico · $82,780Colorado · $79,830Nebraska · $79,140Texas · $77,840Utah · $70,400Alabama · $67,400Mississippi · $67,290New York · $67,000California · $65,520
Related occupations
Derrick Operators, Oil and GasService Unit Operators, Oil and GasExcavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface MiningEarth Drillers, Except Oil and GasExplosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and BlastersContinuous Mining Machine OperatorsRoof Bolters, MiningLoading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against rotary drill operators, oil and gas and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against rotary drill operators, oil and gas and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 47-5012.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Dakota, annual.