Rig operator vs unit operator

The differences between rig operators and 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 unit operator. Additionally, a unit operator has an average salary of $41,192, 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 unit operator are asphalt, plant equipment, and safety procedures.

Rig operator vs unit operator overview

	Rig Operator	Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$38,713	$41,192
Hourly rate	$18.61	$19.80
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	30,722	47,545
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Rig operator vs unit operator salary

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

	Rig Operator	Unit Operator
Average salary	$38,713	$41,192
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $52,000	Between $27,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	Plymouth, MN
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	Applied Materials
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between rig operator and unit operator education

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

	Rig Operator	Unit Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Rig operator vs unit operator demographics

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

	Rig Operator	Unit Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5%	Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between rig operator and 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

Unit operator example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain GPS and other equipment.
Drill frac plugs in time efficient manner.
Coordinate, and execute safety programs, JSA's, and reports.
Make Maximo request to get desire jobs put on schedule for repairs.
Perform LOTO procedures for equipment in preparation for maintenance or safety concerns.
Perform day to day operational oversight and maintenance over numerous distillation and utility units in a cresylic acid manufacturing facility.

Rig operator vs 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 unit operator skills

Asphalt, 27%
Plant Equipment, 21%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Control Room, 7%
Unit Operations, 6%
Rig, 4%