Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Rig Operator II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Rig Operator II in the United States is $56,378 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): $68,230
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,680 to $62,582
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,492
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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 II 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): $50,555
  • Rig Operator II (1-3 years): $56,378
  • Rig Operator III (3-5 years): $70,035
  • Rig Operator Team Lead (5+ years): $81,706
  • Rig Operator Supervisor (5+ years): $94,084
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Rig Operator I0-1 years$50,555
Rig Operator II1-3 years$56,378
Rig Operator III3-5 years$70,035
Rig Operator Team Lead5+ years$81,706
Rig Operator Supervisor5+ years$94,084
View as Graph

How Do Rig Operator 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 Operator IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,422.
  • California: $62,185.
  • Massachusetts: $61,356.

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: $71,110
  • San Francisco: $70,331
  • Oakland: $68,849

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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communicates Effectively 4.52%
First Aid 4.09%
Continuous Improvement 1.94%
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 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 $68,781
22%
Products and Services $65,962
17%
Networking $64,835
15%
Get Latest Data

Rig Operator II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Rig Operator II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,503. While startup companies pay approximate $55,481.

Rig Operator II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,481
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,654
Established 501~5000 $63,280
Enterprise 5000+ $65,503

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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$50,680
Average $56,378/year
$62,582
$4,223
Average $4,698/month
$5,215
$975
Average $1,084/week
$1,204
$24
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,582 $5,215 $1,204 $30
Average $56,378 $4,698 $1,084 $27
25th Percentile $50,680 $4,223 $975 $24

Rig Operator II Salary Growth & Career Path

Rig Operator II

Next Role

Advancement

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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Operations Supervisor $131,337 133%
Derrickman $78,156 39%
Rig Operator III $70,035 24%

Most common benefits for Rig Operator II

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

Common company salaries for Rig Operator II

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

Find Your Next Rig Operator II Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Rig Operator II 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 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 $71,110.

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

The highest pay for Rig Operator II is $68,230.

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

The lowest pay for Rig Operator II is $45,492.

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.

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