Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drill Operator I in Texas is $49,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.
However, a Drill Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
AI-Powered Talent
Drill Operator I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $55,300 | $4,608 | $1,063 | $27 |
| Average | $49,400 | $4,117 | $950 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,800 | $3,650 | $842 | $21 |
Zemer Odessa Llc - Odessa, TX
Hydro Resources - Mid Continent, Inc. - Buda, TX
Roberts Ditching - Amarillo, TX
Hydro Resources Holding - Sunray, TX
A Drill 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Drill 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Drill Operator I | 0-1 years | $49,311 |
| Drill Operator II | 1-3 years | $54,991 |
| Drill Operator III | 3-5 years | $68,312 |
| Drilling Operations Team Lead | 5+ years | $79,696 |
| Drilling Rig Supervisor | 5+ years | $91,770 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Drill Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Drill Operator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $57,396. While startup companies pay approximate $48,614.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $48,614 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $51,394 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $55,448 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $57,396 |
Understanding how a Drill 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $55,300 | $4,608 | $1,063 | $27 |
| Average | $49,400 | $4,117 | $950 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,800 | $3,650 | $842 | $21 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Drill 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.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling Foreman | $128,200 | 160% |
| Derrickhand | $76,300 | 54% |
| Drill Operator II | $55,000 | 11% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Drill Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
RS Utility Structures Inc
Humble, TX
RS Utility Structures Inc | Humble, TX
Job Description. Job Description. THE OPPORTUNITYRS is seeking a reliable, detail-oriented Drill and Cut Operator to support production by drilling, cuttin... more
1 Day Ago
Zemer Odessa LLC
Odessa, TX
Zemer Odessa LLC | Odessa, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Zemer Odessa LLC is seeking a full-time Epiroc Drill Operator to support safe, efficient drilling operations at our onsit... more
1 Day Ago
Vibration Mountings and Controls Inc
Houston, TX
Vibration Mountings and Controls Inc | Houston, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Description. The. Drill Press Operator. will have experience with the following. Cutting. Drilling/Taping. Shear Press an... more
2 Days Ago
VMC Group
Houston, TX
VMC Group | Houston, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Are you a skilled Drill Press Operator who takes pride in precision and quality. We’re looking for an experienced profess... more
2 Days Ago
One X
Midland, TX
One X | Midland, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Description. The Drill Out Operator III is a senior-level lead role responsible for leading and executing drill out opera... more
4 Days Ago
MP NEXLEVEL LLC
La Grange, TX
MP NEXLEVEL LLC | La Grange, TX
Job Description. Job Description. Position Title. Directional Bore Operator / Locator. Reports To. Project Manager. Summary of Position. The role of a. H more
4 Days Ago
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.
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.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
