Trades
Derrick Operators, Oil & Gas
Energy

Oil Operator

Derrick Operators, Oil & Gas are responsible for operating derricks to drill wells
Oil Operator
Love working outside? Are you not scared of dirt and mud? The oilfield has tons of reawrding careers for some of the hardest working people in the world!
Why Should You Consider This Career?
TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Floor Hand

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
This is some text inside of a div block.
AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Floor Hand
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
  • Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
  • Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
  • Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
  • Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
  • Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
  • Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
  • Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
  • Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
  • Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

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$
33.7
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Inspect equipment or tools to be used in construction or excavation.
  • Maintain drilling equipment.
  • Clean equipment or facilities.
  • Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
  • Monitor extraction operations.
  • Operate pumps or compressors.
  • Train construction or extraction personnel.
  • Direct construction or extraction personnel.
  • Position construction or extraction equipment.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 65/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 58/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 55/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 51/100

  • Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 46/100

  • Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. 44/100

  • Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 42/100

  • Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 37/100

  • Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. 35/100

  • Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. 35/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Mud mixers
  • Lifelines or lifeline equipment
  • Screwdrivers
  • Hoists
  • Mud manifolds
  • Drilling casings
  • Makeup tongs
  • Specialty wrenches
  • Two way radios
  • C clamps
  • Crown blocks
  • Blowout preventers
  • Pneumatic impact wrenches
  • Ladders
  • Oil field water oil centrifuges
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Hard hats
  • Mud agitators
  • Ratchets
  • Drill rig elevators
  • Mud cleaning equipment
  • Respirators
  • Scaffolding
  • Facial shields
  • Safety glasses
  • Mud tanks
  • Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
  • Viscosimeters
  • Triple beam balances
  • Jacks
  • Drill hoses
  • Safety harness winders
  • Surface data logging units
  • Blocks or pulleys
  • Gas detectors
  • Combination wrenches
  • Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessories
  • Drilling screens
  • Goggles
  • Pipe handling equipment
  • Lifting hooks
  • Spill kits
  • Ear plugs
  • Sledge hammer
  • Safety harnesses or belts
  • Ball peen hammer
  • Taglines
  • Drawworks
  • End cut pliers
  • Mud pumps
  • Winches
  • Shale shakers
  • Oil country thread protectors
  • Mud degassers
  • Forklifts
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Personal computers
  • Pipe wrenches
  • Tablet computers
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