Rig operator vs tube operator

The differences between rig operators and tube 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 tube operator. Additionally, a tube operator has an average salary of $39,819, 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 tube operator are CDL, post-job, and post-trip inspections.

Rig operator vs tube operator overview

	Rig Operator	Tube Operator
Yearly salary	$38,713	$39,819
Hourly rate	$18.61	$19.14
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	30,722	33,235
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Rig operator vs tube operator salary

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

	Rig Operator	Tube Operator
Average salary	$38,713	$39,819
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $52,000	Between $28,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between rig operator and tube operator education

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

	Rig Operator	Tube Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Rig operator vs tube operator demographics

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

	Rig Operator	Tube Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5%	Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between rig operator and tube 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

Tube operator example responsibilities.

Manage HDD drilling unit, logging permit, transportation and laboratory analysis.
Receive first aid certifications, H2S training, Hazmat awareness training, CPR and various other training classes.
Perform downhole stimulation on oil and gas wells with and without H2S and with high and low bottom hole pressures.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Utilize proper PPE, FRC's, fire retardant clothing, glasses, hardhat and proper boots and gloves.
Use only clean material and PPE when inspecting fluid levels.

Rig operator vs tube operator skills

Common rig operator skills

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

Common tube operator skills

CDL, 21%
Post-Job, 18%
Post-Trip Inspections, 15%
Safety Rules, 7%
Equipment Inspections, 7%
Oil Gas, 5%