Rig operator vs work over rig operator

The differences between rig operators and work over rig 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 work over rig operator. Additionally, a rig operator has an average salary of $38,713, which is higher than the $35,856 average annual salary of a work over rig operator.

The top three skills for a rig operator include CDL, productivity standards and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for a work over rig operator are work-over, safety procedures, and .

Rig operator vs work over rig operator overview

	Rig Operator	Work Over Rig Operator
Yearly salary	$38,713	$35,856
Hourly rate	$18.61	$17.24
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	30,722	28,528
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Rig operator vs work over rig operator salary

Rig operators and work over rig operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Rig Operator	Work Over Rig Operator
Average salary	$38,713	$35,856
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $52,000	Between $15,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between rig operator and work over rig operator education

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

	Rig Operator	Work Over Rig Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Rig operator vs work over rig operator demographics

Here are the differences between rig operators' and work over rig operators' demographics:

	Rig Operator	Work Over Rig 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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between rig operator and work over rig 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

Work over rig operator example responsibilities.

Work floors and derricks prior to being advance to the operator position.
Employ wide variety of hand and power tools including hoists, drills, precision measuring instruments and electronic testing devices.
Experience as floor hand, operator, derrick hand and water truck/vac truck driver.
Complete JSA and DVIR, as well as any other applicable reports and paperwork.

Rig operator vs work over rig operator skills

Common rig operator skills

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

Common work over rig operator skills

Work-Over, 78%
Safety Procedures, 22%

Rig Operator vs. similar jobs

Rig Operator related careers

Rig Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse construction and extraction jobs