Rig operator vs fishing tool operator

The differences between rig operators and fishing tool operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a rig operator and a fishing tool operator. Additionally, a fishing tool operator has an average salary of $46,771, which is higher than the $38,713 average annual salary of a rig operator.

The top three skills for a rig operator include CDL, productivity standards and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for a fishing tool operator are fishing tools, clean outs, and jars.

Rig operator vs fishing tool operator overview

	Rig Operator	Fishing Tool Operator
Yearly salary	$38,713	$46,771
Hourly rate	$18.61	$22.49
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	30,722	36,064
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 25%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Rig operator vs fishing tool operator salary

Rig operators and fishing tool operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Rig Operator	Fishing Tool Operator
Average salary	$38,713	$46,771
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $52,000	Between $28,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between rig operator and fishing tool operator education

There are a few differences between a rig operator and a fishing tool operator in terms of educational background:

	Rig Operator	Fishing Tool Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 25%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Rig operator vs fishing tool operator demographics

Here are the differences between rig operators' and fishing tool operators' demographics:

	Rig Operator	Fishing Tool Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5%	Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 24.6% Asian, 1.2% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%	Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 1.2% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between rig operator and fishing tool operator duties and responsibilities

Rig operator example responsibilities.

Perform maintenance and repair of equipment including welding and fabrication of augers and drill bits.
Train in H2S regulation and prevention.
Regulate boiler blow down, backwash and clean condensers.
Log and sample soil, rock and water for environmental and geotechnical analysis.
Control power hoisting equipment to pull casing, tubing, and rods from production wells.
Operate a 3 man pulling unit, operate a reverse unit, run packers, and daily reports

Fishing tool operator example responsibilities.

Need method to proactively manage the business improving cross-functional collaboration & KPI visibility.
Conduct safety meetings on Oxy policy as required.Send daily reports to Oxy supervisor.
Clean cement to float shoe on 9,700'wells.work for Oxy gas washing over wire line tools with 4 1/6wash pipe to bottom.
Lead compression shift of twenty-one operators and supporting staff in daily operations of manufacturing generic prescription medications in a GMP setting.
Create comprehensive written reports and PowerPoint presentations that show information in an interactive form during monthly staff meetings.

Rig operator vs fishing tool operator skills

Common rig operator skills

CDL, 22%
Productivity Standards, 16%
Customer Satisfaction, 11%
Efficient Maintenance, 8%
Well Control, 6%
Work Ethic, 6%

Common fishing tool operator skills

Fishing Tools, 60%
Clean Outs, 26%
Jars, 14%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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