How To Become A Derrick Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a derrick operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average derrick operator salary is $40,206. The most common degree is a high school diploma degree with an journalism and mass communications major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a derrick operator. Derrick operators with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreDerrick OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $40,206

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.1

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.23%

Asian 1.22%

Black or African American 9.79%

Hispanic or Latino 20.64%

Unknown 4.20%

White 61.91%

Gender

female 3.39%

male 96.61%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a derrick operator

Explore derrick operator education requirements

Most common derrick operator degrees

High School Diploma

52.6 %

Bachelor's

26.3 %

Diploma

10.5 %

Start to develop specific derrick operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Derricks	33.11%
Safety Regulations	29.87%
Cranes	17.04%
Pulleys	7.22%
Tongs	6.76%

Complete relevant derrick operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New derrick operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a derrick operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real derrick operator resumes.

Research derrick operator duties and responsibilities

Manage and perform rig operations, repair large mud pump motors, hoppers, shakers, generators, valves and agitators.
Inspect derricks and order their inspection, prior to being raise and lower.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Operate tools such as hoists and saws.

Prepare your derrick operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your derrick operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a derrick operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable derrick operator resume templates

Build a professional derrick operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your derrick operator resume.