Construction and extraction
Derrick operators, oil and gas
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
Median pay
$58,620
Growth to 2035
+2%
little or no change
Openings a year
900
Time to qualify*
2.1 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Derrick operators, oil and gas
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- Less than 5 years
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Derrick operators, oil and gas: 65% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
- Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
- Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
- Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
- Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
Also called: Derrick Hand · Derrick Man · Derrick Operator · Derrick Worker · Derrickhand · Derrickman · Floor Hand · Rig Hand
Outlook and AI
Derrick operators, oil and gas held 10,700 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 10,900 by 2035 (+2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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