How much does a Derrickman make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Derrickman in the United States is $74,933 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,838
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,019 to $80,641
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,082

Key Factors That Influence Derrickman Salaries

A Derrickman'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Derrickman Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Derrickman'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $72,978
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $74,933
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,807
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $77,063
  • Expert (over 8 years): $77,489
Levels Salary
Entry Level Derrickman$72,978
Intermediate Level Derrickman$74,933
Senior Level Derrickman$76,807
Specialist Level Derrickman$77,063
Expert Level Derrickman$77,489

Top Paying Cities for Derrickman

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: $94,513
  • San Francisco: $93,478
  • Oakland: $91,508

What Skills Can Increase a Derrickman's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 8.76% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 5.76% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 2.54% Job Postings): This is skilled and unskilled work in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction or on the grounds of state properties or facilities and routine maintenance of that equipment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 8.76%
Preventative Maintenance 5.76%
Equipment Operation 2.54%

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 Derrickman's salary.

  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Program Management $82,426
10%
Project Management $78,680
5%
Consulting $77,181
3%

Derrickman Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Derrickman salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $87,310. While startup companies pay approximate $73,941.

Derrickman Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $73,941
Growth Stage 51~500 $78,178
Established 501~5000 $84,345
Enterprise 5000+ $87,310

How Education impacts an Derrickman's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Derrickman enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Derrickman with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,602 and $77,490.

Derrickman Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Derrickman
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.6%
High School 66.7%
Associates 5.6%
Bachelors 5.6%
Masters 16.7%
Doctorate 0.0%

Derrickman Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Derrickman'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 August 01, 2026
$64,019
Average $74,933/year
$80,641
$5,335
Average $6,244/month
$6,720
$1,231
Average $1,441/week
$1,551
$31
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,641 $6,720 $1,551 $39
Average $74,933 $6,244 $1,441 $36
25th Percentile $64,019 $5,335 $1,231 $31

Derrickman Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Derrickman, 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.

Derrickman Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Operations Supervisor $131,287 75%
Rig Operator Team Lead $81,709 9%

Most common benefits for Derrickman

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

Common company salaries for Derrickman

Here are companies hiring for Derrickman and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Derrickman Job

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

For Employees

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

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

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

Adjust Employee Salary

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

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Derrickman

1. Where can a Derrickman earn the most?

A Derrickman'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 Derrickman earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Derrickman is $94,513.

2. What is the highest pay for Derrickman?

The highest pay for Derrickman is $85,838.

3. What is the lowest pay for Derrickman?

The lowest pay for Derrickman is $54,082.

4. What are the responsibilities of Derrickman?

Responsible for operating and servicing oil and gas wells. Assists in rigging up or down, laying out tubing, and transporting drilling and service rigs. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 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