The average salary for a derrick operator in North Dakota is around $71,850 per year.
Avg Salary
Derrick operators earn an average yearly salary of $71,850.
Wages typically start from $63,380 and go up to $80,040.
7% above national average Updated in 2025
Derrick operator earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$38.48 per hour
$80,040 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$36.90 per hour
$76,760 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$34.55 per hour
$71,850 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$32.87 per hour
$68,360 per year
10th percentile
Starting level derrick operator earnings begin at:
$30.47 per hour
$63,380 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Derrick operator salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $86,980 |
| Alaska | $78,050 |
| Wyoming | $76,750 |
| North Dakota | $71,850 |
| Florida | $64,950 |
| Colorado | $64,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,720 |
| New Mexico | $59,570 |
| Oklahoma | $58,270 |
| Utah | $56,980 |
| Texas | $56,100 |
| California | $55,480 |
| Ohio | $50,650 |
| West Virginia | $50,640 |
| Arkansas | $50,070 |
| Alabama | $49,350 |
| Montana | $48,110 |
| Mississippi | $47,340 |
| Illinois | $45,900 |
| Michigan | $45,180 |
| Kansas | $36,750 |
How do derrick operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Derrick operators earn about the same as related careers in North Dakota. On average, they make less than wellhead pumpers but more than sheet metal workers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wellhead pumper salary | $80K |
| Crane operator salary | $83K |
| Rotary drill operator salary | $71K |
| Ironworker salary | $82K |
| Pump operator salary | $81K |
| Derrick operator salary | $72K |
| Brickmason salary | $80K |
| Electrician salary | $66K |
| HVAC technician salary | $74K |
| Sheet metal worker salary | $65K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)