Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
SOC Code: 47-5013 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Service Unit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $58,635 | $80,371 | $102,086 | $123,822 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $58,635 | $80,350 | $102,045 | $123,760 |
| Anchorage, AK | $61,235 | $80,870 | $100,506 | $120,141 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,758 | $73,341 | $86,923 | $100,506 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $58,136 | $72,134 | $86,112 | $100,110 |
| Billings, MT | $55,390 | $69,618 | $83,845 | $98,072 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $51,958 | $66,602 | $81,245 | $95,888 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $53,581 | $66,768 | $79,955 | $93,142 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $83,595 | $86,362 | $89,107 | $91,874 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $53,373 | $66,186 | $78,998 | $91,811 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Troubleshooting | 3.4 | |
| Active Listening | 3.4 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.1 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.4 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.2 |
| Education and Training | 3.2 |
| English Language | 3.1 |
| Chemistry | 3.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 63.0% |
| Less than high school | 37.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
- Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- Close and seal wells no longer in use.
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word SAP software Computerized maintenance management system CMMS Data logger software Inventory tracking software Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Time and attendance software
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