The average salary for a rotary drill operator in California is around $65,520 per year.
Avg Salary
Rotary drill operators earn an average yearly salary of $65,520.
Wages typically start from $49,880 and go up to $120,130.
3% below national average Updated in 2025
Rotary drill operator earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$57.75 per hour
$120,130 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$49.16 per hour
$102,240 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$31.50 per hour
$65,520 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$28.55 per hour
$59,380 per year
10th percentile
Starting level rotary drill operator earnings begin at:
$23.98 per hour
$49,880 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Rotary drill operator salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $85,470 |
| New Mexico | $82,780 |
| Colorado | $79,830 |
| Nebraska | $79,140 |
| Texas | $77,840 |
| Missouri | $75,150 |
| North Dakota | $71,280 |
| Utah | $70,400 |
| Alabama | $67,400 |
| Mississippi | $67,290 |
| New York | $67,000 |
| California | $65,520 |
| Ohio | $63,600 |
| Arizona | $62,920 |
| Florida | $61,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,780 |
| Virginia | $61,410 |
| Wyoming | $61,000 |
| Kansas | $60,600 |
| Tennessee | $58,780 |
| North Carolina | $57,760 |
| West Virginia | $57,020 |
| Minnesota | $56,660 |
| Georgia | $55,400 |
| Oklahoma | $55,160 |
| Maryland | $55,060 |
| Michigan | $54,020 |
| Louisiana | $49,410 |
| Montana | $48,420 |
| Illinois | $47,130 |
| Indiana | $47,060 |
| Kentucky | $38,520 |
| Arkansas | $37,700 |
How do rotary drill operator salaries compare to similar careers?
Rotary drill operators earn about the same as related careers in California. On average, they make less than millwrights but more than glaziers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Millwright salary | $78K |
| Plumber salary | $73K |
| Pipefitter salary | $73K |
| Ironworker salary | $76K |
| Hydroelectric plant technician salary | $78K |
| Rotary drill operator salary | $66K |
| Carpenter salary | $76K |
| Pipelayer salary | $76K |
| HVAC technician salary | $73K |
| Glazier salary | $64K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)