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Rig Operations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Rig Operations Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Rig Operations Manager in the United States is $119,280 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,755
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,490 to $127,380
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,666
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Rig Operations Manager Salaries

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

How Do Rig Operations Manager 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 Operations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $132,070.
  • California: $131,560.
  • Massachusetts: $129,810.

Top Paying Cities for Rig Operations Managers

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: $150,450
  • San Francisco: $148,800
  • Oakland: $145,660

What Skills Can Increase a Rig Operations Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.82% 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.
  • Mechanical Systems (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): Using mechanical principles to complete tasks by utilizing physical components.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.09%
Continuous Improvement 1.82%
Mechanical Systems 1.82%
See More Skills

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 Operations Manager's salary.

  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight $137,172
15%
Verbal Communication $135,979
14%
Project Management $130,015
9%
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Rig Operations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Rig Operations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $138,514. While startup companies pay approximate $117,466.

Rig Operations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $117,466
Growth Stage 51~500 $124,146
Established 501~5000 $133,808
Enterprise 5000+ $138,514

Rig Operations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Rig Operations Manager'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 October 01, 2026
$108,490
Average $119,280/year
$127,380
$9,041
Average $9,940/month
$10,615
$2,086
Average $2,294/week
$2,450
$52
Average $57/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,380 $10,615 $2,450 $61
Average $119,280 $9,940 $2,294 $57
25th Percentile $108,490 $9,041 $2,086 $52

Rig Operations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Rig Operations Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Rig Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Drilling and Production Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $248,800 - a projected growth of 109% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Rig Operations Manager

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

Common company salaries for Rig Operations Manager

Here are companies hiring for Rig Operations Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Rig Operations Manager

1. Is an Operations Manager higher than HR?

Human Resources vs Operations Management: While HR managers focus on administrative tasks and employee relations, Operations Managers play a crucial role in enhancing overall efficiency and productivity. With salaries ranging from $92,720 to $173,260, Operations Managers typically earn more than HR managers, reflecting their broader responsibilities and impact on the organization.

2. Is Operations Manager a high position?

Operations Manager is a senior role that typically requires extensive experience in relevant fields such as human resources, finance, or administration. The salary range for this position reflects its importance, with a minimum salary of $92,720, a mid-range salary of $122,100, and a maximum salary of $173,260, indicating a significant level of responsibility and expertise.

3. What is the highest paid position on an oil rig?

The highest-paid position on an oil rig is typically the Chief Operating Officer (COO), with an average salary of $832,181. However, the Rig Operations Manager also commands a significant salary, with a range from $92,720 to $173,260, and a mid-salary of $122,100, making it one of the top-paying roles in the industry.

4. Is Operation manager stressful?

Yes, the role of an Operations Manager can be quite stressful. They are responsible for overseeing various processes and ensuring efficiency, which often comes with high expectations and pressure to meet performance targets. With a salary range from $92,720 to $173,260, the compensation reflects the demanding nature of the job and the skills required to succeed in this role.

5. How high is an operations manager?

An operations manager typically ranks below the store director but above sales managers. They oversee customer service, warehouse operations, inventory, and sales of self-service products. In terms of salary, the position offers a minimum of $92,720, a mid-range of $122,100, and a maximum of $173,260, reflecting the role's responsibilities and importance.

6. What is the highest salary for an Operations Manager?

The highest salary for a Rig Operations Manager is approximately $173,260. Salary ranges typically start from a minimum of $92,720, with a mid-range salary around $122,100. These figures reflect the compensation for professionals in this role, varying based on experience and specific responsibilities.

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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