What are the main factors that influence a Rig Operator I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Rig Operator 's salary?

A Rig Operator 's salary grows with experience: a Rig Operator I (0-1 years)earns $51,333, a Rig Operator II (1-3 years)earns $57,197, a Rig Operator III (3-5 years)earns $71,079, a Rig Operator Team Lead (5+ years)earns $82,936, a Rig Operator Supervisor (5+ years)earns $95,476,

What are the highest paying states for a Rig Operator I?

Rig Operator I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Rig Operator I roles are District of Columbia $55,996, California $55,783, Massachusetts $55,040. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Rig Operator roles make?

Salaries for Rig Operator level roles vary by specialization: Oil Rig Operator: $101,720; Drill Rig Operator: $71,516; Operator I: $63,618; Refinery Operator I: $60,107; Rig Operator: $56,352.

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Rig Operator I Salary in Delaware

How much does a Rig Operator I make in Delaware?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Rig Operator I in Delaware is $51,333 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Rig Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $63,225
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,524 to $57,558
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,235

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Rig Operator I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$57,558	$4,796	$1,107	$28
Average	$51,333	$4,278	$987	$25
25th Percentile	$45,524	$3,794	$875	$22

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Rig Operator I Salaries

A Rig Operator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Rig Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Rig Operator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Rig Operator I (0-1 years): $51,333
Rig Operator II (1-3 years): $57,197
Rig Operator III (3-5 years): $71,079
Rig Operator Team Lead (5+ years): $82,936
Rig Operator Supervisor (5+ years): $95,476

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Rig Operator I	0-1 years	$51,333
Rig Operator II	1-3 years	$57,197
Rig Operator III	3-5 years	$71,079
Rig Operator Team Lead	5+ years	$82,936
Rig Operator Supervisor	5+ years	$95,476

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Rig Operator I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Rig Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $55,996.
California: $55,783.
Massachusetts: $55,040.

District of Columbia $55,996 California $55,783 Massachusetts $55,040 Washington $54,837 New Jersey $54,817 Alaska $54,746 Connecticut $54,048 New York $53,765

Hawaii $52,860 Rhode Island $52,435 Maryland $52,147 Minnesota $51,752 Colorado $51,601 Illinois $51,550 Oregon $51,358 Delaware $51,216

New Hampshire $51,127 Virginia $50,928 Pennsylvania $50,346 Nevada $50,053 North Dakota $49,957 Michigan $49,805 Wisconsin $49,750 Vermont $49,638

Texas $49,330 Maine $49,310 Arizona $49,279 Ohio $49,244 Georgia $48,779 Indiana $48,546 Wyoming $48,500 Utah $48,430

Iowa $48,399 Kansas $48,157 Louisiana $48,086 North Carolina $48,060 Missouri $48,050 Florida $47,853 Montana $47,747 Nebraska $47,646

Kentucky $47,590 South Carolina $47,388 Tennessee $47,261 Idaho $47,211 New Mexico $46,842 Oklahoma $46,761 Alabama $46,462 South Dakota $45,962

Arkansas $45,689 West Virginia $45,542 Mississippi $45,102

Top Paying Cities for Rig Operator Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Lincoln: $53,007
Little Creek: $52,516
Magnolia: $52,734

Lincoln, DE $53,007 Little Creek, DE $52,516 Magnolia, DE $52,734 Milford, DE $53,007 Marydel, DE $52,319 Millsboro, DE $53,007 Millville, DE $53,361 Milton, DE $53,007

Nassau, DE $53,007 Ocean View, DE $53,361 Rehoboth Beach, DE $53,361 Seaford, DE $52,450 Selbyville, DE $53,361 Smyrna, DE $52,258 Viola, DE $52,734 Woodside, DE $52,582

Bear, DE $51,874 Newark, DE $51,894 Claymont, DE $51,934 Delaware City, DE $51,894 Hockessin, DE $51,934 Kirkwood, DE $51,894 Middletown, DE $52,152 Montchanin, DE $51,934

New Castle, DE $51,934 Odessa, DE $52,223 Port Penn, DE $51,752 Rockland, DE $51,934 Saint Georges, DE $51,894 Townsend, DE $52,147 Winterthur, DE $51,934 Lewes, DE $53,007

Wilmington, DE $51,934 Dover, DE $52,491 Dover Afb, DE $52,612 Bethany Beach, DE $53,361 Bethel, DE $52,450 Bridgeville, DE $53,007 Camden Wyoming, DE $52,546 Cheswold, DE $52,369

Clayton, DE $52,238 Dagsboro, DE $53,361 Delmar, DE $52,450 Ellendale, DE $53,007 Felton, DE $53,007 Fenwick Island, DE $53,361 Frankford, DE $53,361 Frederica, DE $53,007

Georgetown, DE $53,007 Greenwood, DE $53,007 Harbeson, DE $53,007 Harrington, DE $53,007 Hartly, DE $52,213 Houston, DE $53,007 Kenton, DE $52,238 Laurel, DE $52,450

Yorklyn, DE $51,934

Rig Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Rig Operator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

$45,524

Average $51,333/year

$57,558

$3,794

Average $4,278/month

$4,796

$875

Average $987/week

$1,107

$22

Average $25/hour

$28

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$57,558	$4,796	$1,107	$28
Average	$51,333	$4,278	$987	$25
25th Percentile	$45,524	$3,794	$875	$22

Rig Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Rig Operator I

Drilling Operations Supervisor

Derrickman

Rig Operator II

Drilling Operations Manager

Rig Operator Manager

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Rig Operator I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Rig Operator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Drilling Operations Supervisor	$132,830	159%
Derrickman	$76,009	48%
Rig Operator II	$57,197	11%

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