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Rig Hand II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Rig Hand II in the United States is $56,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,235
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,690 to $62,590
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,500
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Rig Hand II Salaries

A Rig Hand 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 Hand Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Rig Hand 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:

  • Drill Operator I (0-1 years): $50,555
  • Rig Hand II (1-3 years): $56,378
  • Drill Operator III (3-5 years): $70,035
  • Drilling Operations Team Lead (5+ years): $81,706
  • Drilling Rig Supervisor (5+ years): $94,084
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Drill Operator I0-1 years$50,555
Rig Hand II1-3 years$56,378
Drill Operator III3-5 years$70,035
Drilling Operations Team Lead5+ years$81,706
Drilling Rig Supervisor5+ years$94,084
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How Do Rig Hand II 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 Hand IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,490.
  • California: $62,190.
  • Massachusetts: $61,390.

Top Paying Cities for Rig Hand 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: $71,190
  • San Francisco: $70,390
  • Oakland: $68,890

What Skills Can Increase a Rig Hand 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communicates Effectively 4.52%
First Aid 4.09%
Continuous Improvement 1.94%
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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 Hand II's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $68,796
22%
Products and Services $65,976
17%
Networking $64,849
15%
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Rig Hand II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Rig Hand II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,517. While startup companies pay approximate $55,492.

Rig Hand II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,492
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,666
Established 501~5000 $63,293
Enterprise 5000+ $65,517

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

Understanding how a Rig Hand 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 September 01, 2026
$50,690
Average $56,390/year
$62,590
$4,224
Average $4,699/month
$5,216
$975
Average $1,084/week
$1,204
$24
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,590 $5,216 $1,204 $30
Average $56,390 $4,699 $1,084 $27
25th Percentile $50,690 $4,224 $975 $24

Rig Hand II Salary Growth & Career Path

Rig Hand II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Rig Hand 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Foreman $131,400 133%
Derrickhand $78,200 39%
Drill Operator III $70,100 24%

Most common benefits for Rig Hand II

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

Common company salaries for Rig Hand II

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

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FAQ about Rig Hand II

1. Who is the highest paid on an oil rig?

The highest-paid roles on an oil rig typically include positions like Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with average salaries significantly higher than those of rig hands. For rig hands, the salary ranges from a minimum of $47,290 to a mid-range of $56,590, reaching up to a maximum of $68,790, depending on experience and location.

2. Do oil rig workers make 100k?

Oil rig workers typically earn between $47,290 and $68,790, depending on their experience and role. Entry-level positions start around $47,290, while mid-level roles can reach up to $68,790. While some senior positions may exceed $100,000, most workers do not make that amount. Experience and specific job roles significantly influence salary levels.

3. How much does a rigging artist earn in USA?

As of now, the salary for a Rig Hand in the United States ranges from $47,290 to $68,790 annually, with a median salary of $56,590. This translates to approximately $22.73 to $33.06 per hour, or about $1,000 to $1,400 per week. The monthly earnings can range from $4,024 to $5,732.

4. How much do oil rig workers make in the US?

Oil rig workers in the US earn between $47,290 and $68,790 annually, with a median salary of $56,590. This translates to an average hourly wage of approximately $26.57. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and specific job responsibilities within the oil rig industry.

5. Why do oil rigs pay so well?

High Salaries One of the main perks of working on an offshore oil rig is the high earning potential. Rig Hands can earn between $47,290 and $68,790 annually, with a median salary of $56,590. The demanding nature of the job, combined with the skills required, contributes to these generous salaries, making it an attractive career choice for many.

6. What is a high riggers job?

A high rigger's job involves manipulating rigging lines, hoists, and pulling gear to move or support heavy materials, including equipment and theatrical sets. They are responsible for aligning, leveling, and anchoring machinery. Salaries for rig hands range from $47,290 to $68,790, with a mid-range salary of $56,590, reflecting the skill and responsibility involved in the role.

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.

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