Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

Overview

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas has a national median salary of $58,620 per year, with +1.6% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists no formal educational credential as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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

Work Values

• Support
• Relationships
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

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.

Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Training and Teaching Others
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Developing and Building Teams

Detailed Work Activities

• Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists no formal educational credential as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for no formal educational credential.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas:

Video Resources