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Rig Operator II Salary in the United States

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

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Rig Operator II in the United States is $56,363 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,217
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,665 to $62,568
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,477
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View as table View as graph 25% $50,665 10% $45,477 90% $68,217 75% $62,568 $56,363 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Rig Operator II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $62,568 $5,214 $1,203 $30
Average $56,363 $4,697 $1,084 $27
25th Percentile $50,665 $4,222 $974 $24
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Key Factors That Influence Rig Operator II Salaries

A Rig Operator 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 Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Rig Operator 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:

  • Rig Operator I (0-1 years): $50,567
  • Rig Operator II (1-3 years): $56,363
  • Rig Operator III (3-5 years): $70,032
  • Rig Operator Team Lead (5+ years): $81,722
  • Rig Operator Supervisor (5+ years): $94,082
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Rig Operator I0-1 years$50,567
Rig Operator II1-3 years$56,363
Rig Operator III3-5 years$70,032
Rig Operator Team Lead5+ years$81,722
Rig Operator Supervisor5+ years$94,082
$50,567 Rig Opera...
$56,363 Rig Opera...
$70,032 Rig Opera...
$81,722 Rig Opera...
$94,082 Rig Opera...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Rig Operator 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: $71,091
  • San Francisco: $70,392
  • Oakland: $68,830

What Skills Can Increase a Rig Operator 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Communicates Effectively 4.52%
First Aid 4.09%
Continuous Improvement 1.94%
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 Operator 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
 $68,763
22%
Products and Services
 $65,945
17%
Networking
 $64,817
15%
Service Quality
 $64,254
14%
Safety Policies and Procedures
 $62,563
11%
Integrity
 $61,999
10%
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Rig Operator II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Rig Operator 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$50,665
Average $56,363/year
$62,568
$4,222
Average $4,697/month
$5,214
$974
Average $1,084/week
$1,203
$24
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,568 $5,214 $1,203 $30
Average $56,363 $4,697 $1,084 $27
25th Percentile $50,665 $4,222 $974 $24

Rig Operator II Salary Growth & Career Path

Rig Operator II
Drilling Operations Supervisor
Derrickman
Rig Operator III
Drilling Operations Manager
Rig Operator Manager

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

Rig Operator II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Operations Supervisor $131,047 133%
Derrickman $74,906 33%
Rig Operator III $70,032 24%

Salaries of jobs related to Rig Operator II

Most common benefits for Rig Operator II

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Pension
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FAQ about Rig Operator II

1. Where can a Rig Operator II earn the most?

A Rig Operator II'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 Rig Operator II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Rig Operator II is $71,091.

2. What is the highest pay for Rig Operator II?

The highest pay for Rig Operator II is $68,217.

3. What is the lowest pay for Rig Operator II?

The lowest pay for Rig Operator II is $45,477.

4. What are the responsibilities of Rig Operator II?

Operates rig equipment and tools in compliance with safety regulations and functional specifications. Assembles and prepares rig equipment for use and monitors and adjusts equipment as necessary. Responsible for pre-operational checks and post-operational servicing to prevent wear and ensure continuous operation. Maintains detailed records on activities, inspections, and maintenance in compliance with required regulatory standards. May require a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 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.

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