Construction and extraction
Service unit operators, oil and gas
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Median pay
$58,160
Growth to 2035
+1%
little or no change
Openings a year
3,800
Time to qualify*
2.5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Service unit operators, oil and gas
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- Less than 5 years
Calculate your switch to service unit operators, oil and gas
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
Service unit operators, oil and gas: 86% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
Also called: Pulling Unit Operator · Reverse Unit Operator · Rig Operator · Service Operator · Service Rig Operator · Tool Pusher · Well Servicing Rig Operator · Wireline Operator
Outlook and AI
Service unit operators, oil and gas held 43,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 44,300 by 2035 (+1%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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