Best cities for a drill operator
The best cities for drill operators are Lexington, KY, Louisville, KY, and Greensboro, NC, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for drill operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for drill operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a drill operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for drill operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for drill operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a drill operator. While the absolute best city for drill operators is Lexington, KY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for drill operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a drill operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for drill operators in 2026
1. Lexington, KY
Total drill operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $47,715 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Location quotient: 1.82 2. Louisville, KY
Total drill operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $47,775 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Location quotient: 1.28 3. Greensboro, NC
Total drill operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $48,294 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 4.45 4. San Antonio, TX
Total drill operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,847 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. El Paso, TX
Total drill operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,842 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Dallas, TX
Total drill operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $54,132 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 0.37 7. Corpus Christi, TX
Total drill operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,824 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Houston, TX
Total drill operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $54,710 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 0.40 9. Laredo, TX
Total drill operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,757 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Austin, TX
Total drill operator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,734 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for drill operators
- Lexington, KY
- Louisville, KY
- Greensboro, NC
- San Antonio, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Houston, TX
- Laredo, TX
- Austin, TX
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Detailed list of the best cities for a drill operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington, KY | $47,715 | $34,000 | 318,449 | 1 |
| 2 | Louisville, KY | $47,775 | $34,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 3 | Greensboro, NC | $48,294 | $35,000 | 287,027 | 3 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $54,847 | $39,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 5 | El Paso, TX | $54,842 | $39,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $54,132 | $39,000 | 1,317,929 | 2 |
| 7 | Corpus Christi, TX | $54,824 | $39,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $54,710 | $38,000 | 2,303,482 | 4 |
| 9 | Laredo, TX | $54,757 | $39,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $54,734 | $39,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 11 | Lubbock, TX | $54,513 | $39,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 12 | Fort Worth, TX | $54,177 | $39,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 13 | Arlington, TX | $54,166 | $39,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 14 | Irving, TX | $54,133 | $39,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 15 | Minneapolis, MN | $49,985 | $38,000 | 413,651 | 4 |
| 16 | Chesapeake, VA | $48,667 | $35,000 | 237,940 | 4 |
| 17 | Colorado Springs, CO | $50,405 | $37,000 | 465,101 | 7 |
| 18 | Garland, TX | $54,095 | $39,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 19 | Saint Paul, MN | $49,976 | $38,000 | 302,398 | 2 |
| 20 | Charlotte, NC | $48,151 | $35,000 | 842,051 | 2 |
| 21 | Plano, TX | $54,085 | $39,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 22 | Denver, CO | $50,317 | $37,000 | 693,060 | 11 |
| 23 | Durham, NC | $48,322 | $35,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 24 | Raleigh, NC | $48,313 | $35,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 25 | Winston-Salem, NC | $48,285 | $35,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 26 | Madison, WI | $46,619 | $35,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 27 | Las Vegas, NV | $44,753 | $32,000 | 632,912 | 1 |
| 28 | Milwaukee, WI | $46,556 | $35,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 29 | Philadelphia, PA | $44,153 | $32,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 30 | Portland, OR | $47,048 | $34,000 | 639,863 | 1 |
| 31 | Pittsburgh, PA | $44,222 | $32,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 32 | Lincoln, NE | $41,760 | $31,000 | 280,364 | 1 |
| 33 | Fort Wayne, IN | $39,023 | $28,000 | 264,488 | 3 |
| 34 | Reno, NV | $45,593 | $32,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 35 | Omaha, NE | $41,776 | $31,000 | 446,970 | 1 |
| 36 | Seattle, WA | $50,666 | $38,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 37 | Virginia Beach, VA | $48,711 | $35,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 38 | Aurora, CO | $50,314 | $37,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 39 | Norfolk, VA | $48,696 | $35,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 40 | North Las Vegas, NV | $44,725 | $32,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 41 | Tucson, AZ | $42,278 | $30,000 | 530,706 | 1 |
| 42 | Wichita, KS | $42,212 | $30,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 43 | Henderson, NV | $44,673 | $32,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 44 | Toledo, OH | $36,882 | $27,000 | 278,508 | 1 |
| 45 | Kansas City, MO | $41,486 | $30,000 | 481,420 | 1 |
| 46 | Phoenix, AZ | $42,755 | $31,000 | 1,615,017 | 1 |
| 47 | Memphis, TN | $39,663 | $28,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 48 | Nashville, TN | $39,483 | $28,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 49 | Glendale, AZ | $42,760 | $31,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 50 | Anaheim, CA | $47,225 | $33,000 | 351,043 | 4 |
Highest paying cities for drill operators
| Rank | City | Avg. drill operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $54,710 |
| 2 | Lakewood, CO | $50,348 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $49,985 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $48,763 |
| 5 | Mooresville, NC | $48,208 |
| 6 | Morgantown, WV | $48,168 |
| 7 | Worcester, MA | $46,380 |
| 8 | Dubuque, IA | $42,392 |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $42,278 |
| 10 | West Chicago, IL | $42,249 |
| 11 | Kansas City, KS | $42,070 |
| 12 | Joplin, MO | $41,369 |
| 13 | Fayetteville, AR | $39,759 |
| 14 | Lebanon, TN | $39,468 |
| 15 | Troy, MI | $38,965 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $38,804 |
| 17 | Barberton, OH | $36,806 |
| 18 | Greenville, SC | $33,086 |
| 19 | Clearwater, FL | $33,067 |
| 20 | Tulsa, OK | $32,544 |
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Updated January 8, 2025