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Rig operator vs oil operator

The differences between rig operators and oil 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 an oil operator. Additionally, an oil operator has an average salary of $40,023, 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 an oil operator are CDL, DOT, and safety measures.

Rig operator vs oil operator overview

Rig OperatorOil Operator
Yearly salary$38,713$40,023
Hourly rate$18.61$19.24
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs30,72234,986
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4040
Years of experience22

Rig operator vs oil operator salary

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

Rig OperatorOil Operator
Average salary$38,713$40,023
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $52,000Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between rig operator and oil operator education

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

Rig OperatorOil Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 57%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Rig operator vs oil operator demographics

Here are the differences between rig operators' and oil operators' demographics:

Rig OperatorOil Operator
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 97.5% Female, 2.5%Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between rig operator and oil 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
  • Show more

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.

Rig operator vs oil operator skills

Common rig operator skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • Productivity Standards, 16%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 11%
  • Efficient Maintenance, 8%
  • Well Control, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common oil operator skills
  • CDL, 37%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Safety Measures, 8%
  • Frac, 6%
  • Rail Cars, 5%
  • Oiling, 5%

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