Oil operator vs service unit operator

The differences between oil operators and service unit operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an oil operator and a service unit operator. Additionally, a service unit operator has an average salary of $46,507, which is higher than the $40,023 average annual salary of an oil operator.

The top three skills for an oil operator include CDL, DOT and safety measures. The most important skills for a service unit operator are safety procedures, load trucks, and .

Oil operator vs service unit operator overview

	Oil Operator	Service Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$40,023	$46,507
Hourly rate	$19.24	$22.36
Growth rate	7%	-
Number of jobs	34,986	42,934
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Oil operator vs service unit operator salary

Oil operators and service unit operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Oil Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average salary	$40,023	$46,507
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $54,000	Between $26,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between oil operator and service unit operator education

There are a few differences between an oil operator and a service unit operator in terms of educational background:

	Oil Operator	Service Unit Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Oil operator vs service unit operator demographics

Here are the differences between oil operators' and service unit operators' demographics:

	Oil Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%	Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between oil operator and service unit operator duties and responsibilities

Oil operator example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain GPS and other equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Install PVC casing and well motors.
Connect mechanical joints to attach fusible PVC to steel.

Service unit operator example responsibilities.

swab rigs, single pole, double pole and derricks.
Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
Complete all aspects involve in completions, pulling/running rods, and setting and retrieval of BHA tools.
Perform day to day operational oversight and maintenance over numerous distillation and utility units in a cresylic acid manufacturing facility.
Perform day to day operational oversight and maintenance over numerous distillation and utility units in a cresylic acid manufacturing facility.

Oil operator vs service unit operator skills

Common oil operator skills

CDL, 37%
DOT, 13%
Safety Measures, 8%
Frac, 6%
Rail Cars, 5%
Oiling, 5%

Common service unit operator skills

Safety Procedures, 54%
Load Trucks, 46%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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