Career Overview
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Also Known As
- Pulling Unit Operator
- Rig Operator
- Service Operator
- Service Rig Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Coiled Tubing Operator
- Fishing Tool Operator
- Gather Operator
- Oil and Gas Equipment Operator
- Oil and Gas Field Technician
- Oil and Shale and Tar Processing Technician
- Oil Processing Technician
- Oil Well Fishing Tool Technician
- Oil Well Service Operator
- Oil Well Service Unit Operator
- Pulling Unit Operator
- Reverse Unit Operator
- Rig Operator
- Service Operator
- Service Rig Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
- Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on rigs, equipment, and other tools.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Multilimb Coordination
- Near Vision
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Reaction Time
- Oral Comprehension
- Perceptual Speed
- Manual Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Cement mixers
- Cement pumps
- Channel lock pliers
- Chemical casing cutters
- Chemical pipe cutters
- Claw hammers
- Continuous sucker rods
- Depth gauges
- Desktop computers
- Diesel motors
- Downhole object retrieval equipment
- Electric downhole pumps
- Free point tools
- Handheld data loggers
Work Environment
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Contact With Others
- Exposed to Contaminants
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $40,010 |
| Median | $57,980 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $93,820 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 44,120
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $65,010
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $47,510
Wellhead Pumpers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $70,010
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $97,540
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,600
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.