Tube operator vs service unit operator

The differences between tube 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 tube operator and a service unit operator. Additionally, a service unit operator has an average salary of $46,507, which is higher than the $39,819 average annual salary of a tube operator.

The top three skills for a tube operator include CDL, post-job and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a service unit operator are safety procedures, load trucks, and .

Tube operator vs service unit operator overview

	Tube Operator	Service Unit Operator
Yearly salary	$39,819	$46,507
Hourly rate	$19.14	$22.36
Growth rate	7%	-
Number of jobs	33,235	42,934
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Tube operator vs service unit operator salary

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

	Tube Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average salary	$39,819	$46,507
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $26,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between tube operator and service unit operator education

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

	Tube Operator	Service Unit Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tube operator vs service unit operator demographics

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

	Tube Operator	Service Unit Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3%	Male, 68.0% Female, 32.0%
Race ratio	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%	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 tube operator and service unit operator duties and responsibilities

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.

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.

Tube operator vs service unit operator skills

Common tube operator skills

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

Common service unit operator skills

Safety Procedures, 54%
Load Trucks, 46%

Tube Operator vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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