Directional Drilling Locator Salary in the United States

How much does a Directional Drilling Locator make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Directional Drilling Locator in the United States is $131,498 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $173,192
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $121,265 to $153,322
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $111,948
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View as table View as graph 25% $121,265 10% $111,948 90% $173,192 75% $153,322 $131,498 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Directional Drilling Locator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $153,322 $12,777 $2,949 $74
Average $131,498 $10,958 $2,529 $63
25th Percentile $121,265 $10,105 $2,332 $58
Check out Directional Drilling Locator Job Openings in the United States
Directional Drilling and Excavation Laborer

Omax Construction Inc - Peninsula, OH

Directional Drill Operator Locator

MasTec - Columbus, OH

Directional Driller Locator

MasTec - Akron, OH

Horizontal Directional Drilling and Excavator Operator

Omax Construction Inc - Peninsula, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Directional Drilling Locator Salaries

A Directional Drilling 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 Drilling 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 Drilling Locators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $145,595.
  • California: $145,042.
  • Massachusetts: $143,109.

Top Paying Cities for Directional Drilling 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: $165,858
  • San Francisco: $164,042
  • Oakland: $160,585

What Skills Can Increase a Directional Drilling Locator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 25% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Geology (Mentioned in 25% Job Postings): Geology is the science that studies the Earth's physical structure and substances, the history of rocks, the processes that act on them and the most economic way to use the world's resources.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 25% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 25%
Geology 25%
Installation 25%
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 Drilling Locator's salary.
  • Results Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Geology: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Results Oriented
$151,223
15%
Geology
$140,703
7%
Problem Solving
$134,128
2%
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How Education impacts a Directional Drilling Locator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Directional Drilling Locators enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Drilling Locator with a Bachelor's Degree is between $116,556 and $125,612).

Directional Drilling Locator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Directional Drilling Locator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.6%
High School 50.0%
Associates 33.3%
Bachelors 33.3%
Masters 5.6%
Doctorate 5.6%
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Directional Drilling Locator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Directional Drilling 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.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Directional Drilling Locator

Salaries for a Directional Drilling Locator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $91,306 in 2023 to around $90,558 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Directional Drilling Locator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Directional Drilling Locator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$91,306
2024
$91,316
2025
$90,558
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $91,306
2024 $91,316
2025 $90,558
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Directional Drilling Locator

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

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

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

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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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