Rig operator vs service unit operator

The differences between rig 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 a rig operator and a service unit operator. Additionally, a service unit operator has an average salary of $46,507, 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 service unit operator are safety procedures, load trucks, and .

Rig operator vs service unit operator overview

	Rig Operator	Service Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$38,713	$46,507
Hourly rate	$18.61	$22.36
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	30,722	42,934
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Rig operator vs service unit operator salary

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

	Rig Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average salary	$38,713	$46,507
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $52,000	Between $26,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between rig operator and service unit operator education

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

	Rig Operator	Service Unit Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Rig operator vs service unit operator demographics

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

	Rig Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5%	Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0%
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, 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 rig operator and service unit 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

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.

Rig operator vs service unit operator skills

Common rig operator skills

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

Common service unit operator skills

Safety Procedures, 54%
Load Trucks, 46%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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