Salary and Outlook
According to the US Department of Labor, there are 8,600 people employed as derrick operators, oil and gas in
the United States.
The median annual salary is $47,230.
Entry level employees earn approximately $36,460 per year and senior employees earn approximately $77,000
per year.
Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.
Job Duties
- 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.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
- Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
- Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
- Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
- String cables through pulleys and blocks.
- Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.