Careers · Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas · Tennessee
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Tennessee
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 Tennessee the median pay is $58,780 a year, 13% below the national median of $67,890.
$58,780median pay in Tennessee, per year
$52,700–$69,310middle half earn
40employed in Tennessee
$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 Tennessee
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay in other states
Alaska · $85,470New Mexico · $82,780Colorado · $79,830Nebraska · $79,140Texas · $77,840North Dakota · $71,280Utah · $70,400Alabama · $67,400Mississippi · $67,290New York · $67,000
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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, Tennessee, annual.