upper level job

Rig Operator II Salary in the United States

How much does a Rig Operator II make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Rig Operator II in the United States is $56,352 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,178
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,641 to $62,542
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,441
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $50,641 10% $45,441 90% $68,178 75% $62,542 $56,352 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Rig Operator II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $62,542 $5,212 $1,203 $30
Average $56,352 $4,696 $1,084 $27
25th Percentile $50,641 $4,220 $974 $24
Check out Rig Operator II Job Openings in the United States
Material Handler Operator II

CEVA Logistics - , OH

Contact Center Support Operator II

Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

Operator

Sonoco Products Company - Cincinnati, OH

Operator II

Schaeffler - Wooster, OH

Search More Rig Operator II Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Rig Operator II Salaries

A Rig Operator II'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 II'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): $50,574
  • Rig Operator II (1-3 years): $56,352
  • Rig Operator III (3-5 years): $70,029
  • Rig Operator Team Lead (5+ years): $81,710
  • Rig Operator Supervisor (5+ years): $94,065
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Rig Operator I0-1 years$50,574
Rig Operator II1-3 years$56,352
Rig Operator III3-5 years$70,029
Rig Operator Team Lead5+ years$81,710
Rig Operator Supervisor5+ years$94,065
$50,574 Rig Opera...
$56,352 Rig Opera...
$70,029 Rig Opera...
$81,710 Rig Opera...
$94,065 Rig Opera...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Rig Operator IIs

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:

  • San Jose: $71,077
  • San Francisco: $70,378
  • Oakland: $68,817

What Skills Can Increase a Rig Operator II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communicates Effectively (Mentioned in 4.52% Job Postings): Effective communication is the process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 4.09% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Communicates Effectively 4.52%
First Aid 4.09%
Continuous Improvement 1.94%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Rig Operator II's salary.
  • Installation: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Hydraulics: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Installation
$61,987
10%
Leadership
$60,860
8%
Hydraulics
$60,297
7%
Problem Solving
$58,043
3%
Communicates Effectively
$56,916
1%
Get Latest Data

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

Understanding how a Rig Operator II'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

Rig Operator II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Rig Operator II, 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 II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Operations Supervisor $130,867 132%
Derrickman $74,886 33%
Rig Operator III $70,029 24%

Salary Trends for Rig Operator II

Salaries for a Rig Operator II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $92,182 in 2023 to around $91,427 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Rig Operator II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Rig Operator II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$92,182
2024
$92,192
2025
$91,427
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $92,182
2024 $92,192
2025 $91,427
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Rig Operator II

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Rig Operator II

Here are companies hiring for Rig Operator II and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Rig Operator II Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Rig Operator II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Rig Operator II

1. Where can a Rig Operator II earn the most?

A Rig Operator II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Rig Operator II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Rig Operator II is $71,077.

2. What is the highest pay for Rig Operator II?

The highest pay for Rig Operator II is $68,178.

3. What is the lowest pay for Rig Operator II?

The lowest pay for Rig Operator II is $45,441.

4. What are the responsibilities of Rig Operator II?

Operates rig equipment and tools in compliance with safety regulations and functional specifications. Assembles and prepares rig equipment for use and monitors and adjusts equipment as necessary. Responsible for pre-operational checks and post-operational servicing to prevent wear and ensure continuous operation. Maintains detailed records on activities, inspections, and maintenance in compliance with required regulatory standards. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job