Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC Code: 47-5011 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $66,581 | $74,984 | $83,408 | $91,811 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $61,506 | $71,094 | $80,683 | $90,272 |
| Hammond, LA | $57,699 | $68,370 | $79,040 | $89,710 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $59,800 | $69,618 | $79,414 | $89,232 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $55,453 | $66,602 | $77,771 | $88,920 |
| Monroe, LA | $53,290 | $65,125 | $76,939 | $88,774 |
| Alexandria, LA | $53,290 | $65,125 | $76,939 | $88,774 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $48,318 | $61,651 | $74,963 | $88,296 |
| Lafayette, LA | $48,714 | $61,214 | $73,715 | $86,216 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $68,848 | $74,360 | $79,872 | $85,384 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | |
| Speaking | 3.4 | |
| Repairing | 3.4 | |
| Monitoring | 3.4 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.2 | |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.2 | |
| Active Listening | 3.2 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 3.6 |
| Mathematics | 3.3 |
| English Language | 3.2 |
| Education and Training | 3.0 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.8 |
| Transportation | 2.8 |
| Administration and Management | 2.7 |
| Building and Construction | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | 68.5% |
| High school diploma | 22.9% |
| Some college | 4.9% |
| Associate's degree | 3.6% |
Typical Tasks
- Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
- Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
- Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
- Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
- Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
- Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word
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