The map below shows you the number of rig operator job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where rig operators earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market. Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.We spoke to rig operator professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the rig operator job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the rig operator industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

We spoke to rig operator professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the rig operator job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the rig operator industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

Rig Operator

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Construction and Extraction Industry

Rig Operators

What is a rig operator?

Overview

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Rig operator skills

Skills

Rig operator education

Education

Rig operator demographics

Demographics

Rig operator job description

Job Description

How to hire a rig operator

How To Hire

Best companies for rig operators

Best Companies

Rig operator trends

Job Outlook

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Entry level rig operator jobs

Entry Level jobs

Full time rig operator jobs

Full Time jobs

Full time jobs

Part time jobs

Entry level jobs

right-to-work

relocation

Year	# of jobs	% of population
2021	2,787	0.00%
2020	3,717	0.00%
2019	4,389	0.00%
2018	4,215	0.00%
2017	3,329	0.00%

Year	Avg. salary	Hourly rate	% Change
2025	$38,713	$18.61	+1.4%
2024	$38,190	$18.36	--2.3%
2023	$39,106	$18.80	--0.9%
2022	$39,457	$18.97	--0.7%
2021	$39,718	$19.10	+8.0%

Rank	State	Population	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl
1	District of Columbia	693,972	130	19%
2	Massachusetts	6,859,819	1,212	18%
3	Rhode Island	1,059,639	153	14%
4	Alaska	739,795	95	13%
5	New Jersey	9,005,644	879	10%
6	Hawaii	1,427,538	98	7%
7	North Dakota	755,393	21	3%
8	New Mexico	2,088,070	14	1%
9	Wyoming	579,315	3	1%
10	Texas	28,304,596	110	0%
11	California	39,536,653	17	0%
12	Minnesota	5,576,606	10	0%
13	Tennessee	6,715,984	8	0%
14	Utah	3,101,833	8	0%
15	Nevada	2,998,039	7	0%
16	Missouri	6,113,532	6	0%
17	Arkansas	3,004,279	4	0%
18	West Virginia	1,815,857	4	0%
19	New York	19,849,399	3	0%
20	Delaware	961,939	2	0%

Job outlook for rig operators in the United States

Rig operator job and salary trends over time

Rig operator jobs over time

Rig operator job growth rate over time

Average rig operator salary over time

Rig operator salary by year

Rig operator jobs by state

Most common states for rig operators

Most common cities for rig operators

Rig operator jobs