Unit operator vs work over rig operator

The differences between unit 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 unit operator and a work over rig operator. Additionally, a unit operator has an average salary of $41,192, which is higher than the $35,856 average annual salary of a work over rig operator.

The top three skills for a unit operator include asphalt, plant equipment and safety procedures. The most important skills for a work over rig operator are work-over, safety procedures, and .

Unit operator vs work over rig operator overview

	Unit Operator	Work Over Rig Operator
Yearly salary	$41,192	$35,856
Hourly rate	$19.80	$17.24
Growth rate	7%	-
Number of jobs	47,545	28,528
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	2	2

Unit operator vs work over rig operator salary

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

	Unit Operator	Work Over Rig Operator
Average salary	$41,192	$35,856
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $62,000	Between $15,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	Plymouth, MN	-
Highest paying state	Minnesota	-
Best paying company	Applied Materials	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between unit operator and work over rig operator education

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

	Unit Operator	Work Over Rig Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Unit operator vs work over rig operator demographics

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

	Unit Operator	Work Over Rig Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5%	Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4%
Race ratio	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%	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 unit operator and work over rig operator duties and responsibilities

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.

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.

Unit operator vs work over rig operator skills

Common unit operator skills

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

Common work over rig operator skills

Work-Over, 78%
Safety Procedures, 22%

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Construction and Extraction Industry
Unit Operator
Unit Operator vs Work Over Rig Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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