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Directional Drill Operator/Locator Salary in the United States

How much does a Directional Drill Operator/Locator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Directional Drill Operator/Locator in the United States is $79,921 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Directional Drill Operator/Locator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,432
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,589 to $91,704
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,004
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,589 10% $64,004 90% $102,432 75% $91,704 $79,921 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Directional Drill Operator/Locator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $91,704 $7,642 $1,764 $44
Average $79,921 $6,660 $1,537 $38
25th Percentile $71,589 $5,966 $1,377 $34
Check out Directional Drill Operator/Locator Job Openings in the United States
Directional Drill Operator

Gudenkauf, a Congruex company - Columbus, OH

Directional Drill Foreman

Gudenkauf, a Congruex company - Columbus, OH

Directional Drill Foreman

FindTalent - Columbus, OH

Directional Drill Operator Locator

MasTec - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Directional Drill Operator/Locator Salaries

A Directional Drill Operator/Locator'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 Do Directional Drill Operator/Locator 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 Directional Drill Operator/Locators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $88,488.
  • California: $88,153.
  • Massachusetts: $86,978.

Top Paying Cities for Directional Drill Operator/Locators

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: $100,804
  • San Francisco: $99,700
  • Oakland: $97,599

What Skills Can Increase a Directional Drill Operator/Locator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.21% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 3.69% 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.
  • Public Works (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Public works are a broad category of infrastructure projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.21%
Equipment Operation 3.69%
Public Works 2.37%
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 Directional Drill Operator/Locator's salary.
  • Waste Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Waste Management
 $83,917
5%
Time Management
 $83,917
5%
Written Communication
 $82,318
3%
Analysis
 $82,318
3%
Coordination
 $81,519
2%
Standard Operating Procedures
 $81,519
2%
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Directional Drill Operator/Locator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Directional Drill Operator/Locator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Directional Drill Operator/Locator positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Directional Drill Operator/Locator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Directional Drill Operator/Locator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$95,905$46.020%
Biotechnology$95,905$46.020%
Chemicals$95,905$46.020%
Energy & Utilities$95,905$46.020%
Financial Services$95,905$46.020%

How Education impacts a Directional Drill Operator/Locator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Directional Drill Operator/Locators enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Directional Drill Operator/Locator with a No Diploma is between $69,226 and $76,768).

Directional Drill Operator/Locator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Directional Drill Operator/Locator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 81.7%
Associates 8.4%
Bachelors 4.6%
Masters 1.1%
Doctorate 0.4%
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Directional Drill Operator/Locator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Directional Drill Operator/Locator'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 August 01, 2026
$71,589
Average $79,921/year
$91,704
$5,966
Average $6,660/month
$7,642
$1,377
Average $1,537/week
$1,764
$34
Average $38/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,704 $7,642 $1,764 $44
Average $79,921 $6,660 $1,537 $38
25th Percentile $71,589 $5,966 $1,377 $34

Salaries of jobs related to Directional Drill Operator/Locator

Salary Trends for Directional Drill Operator/Locator

Salaries for a Directional Drill Operator/Locator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $66,289 in 2023 to around $66,105 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Directional Drill Operator/Locator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Directional Drill Operator/Locator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,289
2024
$66,698
2025
$66,105
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,289
2024 $66,698
2025 $66,105
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Directional Drill Operator/Locator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Directional Drill Operator/Locator

Here are companies hiring for Directional Drill Operator/Locator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Directional Drill Operator/Locator Job

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

United States

  • Gudenkauf, a Congruex company

    Columbus, OH

    Laborer

    Gudenkauf, a Congruex company | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Reports To. Manager, Construction. Travel Potential. 10–25%. Compensation. $18 - $26 Hourly. Company Profile. Congruex pr... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    RN

    Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Travel Rn Stepdown (Pcu) Shift. Night shift - 12 hours. Start date: 09/21/2026. End date: 12/21/2026. Duration: 13 weeks. City: Columbus. State: OH more

    13 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President Internal Communications

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    16 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Vice President Payments Engineering

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    23 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    23 Days Ago

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FAQ about Directional Drill Operator/Locator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Directional Drill Operator/Locator?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Directional Drill Operator/Locator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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