What are the main factors that influence a Directional Drill Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Directional Drill Operator's salary?

A Directional Drill Operator's salary grows with experience: a Heavy Equipment Operator I (0-1 years)earns $45,755, a Heavy Equipment Operator II (1-3 years)earns $51,626, a Heavy Equipment Operator III (3-5 years)earns $59,052, a Directional Drill Operator (5-7 years)earns $78,267,

What are the highest paying states for a Directional Drill Operator?

Directional Drill Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Directional Drill Operator roles are District of Columbia $84,908, California $84,586, Massachusetts $83,459. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Directional Drill Operator roles make?

Salaries for Directional Drill Operator level roles vary by specialization: Directional Drill Foreman: $90,642; Directional Drill Crew Foreman: $88,929; Directional Drill Locator: $84,332; Directional Drill Operator/Locator: $79,875; Laborer Directional Drill Bore: $77,548.

Directional Drill Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does a Directional Drill Operator make in Delaware?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Directional Drill Operator in Delaware is $77,661 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,743
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,938 to $88,173
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,997

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Directional Drill Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$88,173	$7,348	$1,696	$42
Average	$77,661	$6,472	$1,493	$37
25th Percentile	$68,938	$5,745	$1,326	$33

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Key Factors That Influence Directional Drill Operator Salaries

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

District of Columbia: $84,908.
California: $84,586.
Massachusetts: $83,459.

District of Columbia $84,908 California $84,586 Massachusetts $83,459 Washington $83,152 New Jersey $83,121 Alaska $83,014 Connecticut $81,956 New York $81,526

Hawaii $80,153 Rhode Island $79,509 Maryland $79,072 Minnesota $78,474 Colorado $78,244 Illinois $78,167 Oregon $77,876 Delaware $77,661

New Hampshire $77,526 Virginia $77,224 Pennsylvania $76,342 Nevada $75,897 North Dakota $75,752 Michigan $75,522 Wisconsin $75,437 Vermont $75,268

Texas $74,801 Maine $74,770 Arizona $74,724 Ohio $74,670 Georgia $73,965 Indiana $73,612 Wyoming $73,543 Utah $73,436

Iowa $73,390 Kansas $73,022 Louisiana $72,914 North Carolina $72,876 Missouri $72,861 Florida $72,561 Montana $72,400 Nebraska $72,247

Kentucky $72,163 South Carolina $71,856 Tennessee $71,664 Idaho $71,588 New Mexico $71,028 Oklahoma $70,905 Alabama $70,453 South Dakota $69,693

Arkansas $69,279 West Virginia $69,057 Mississippi $68,390

Top Paying Cities for Directional Drill Operators

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:

Lincoln: $77,311
Little Creek: $77,877
Magnolia: $77,765

Lincoln, DE $77,311 Little Creek, DE $77,877 Magnolia, DE $77,765 Milford, DE $77,508 Marydel, DE $77,635 Millsboro, DE $76,987 Millville, DE $77,106 Milton, DE $77,239

Nassau, DE $77,295 Ocean View, DE $77,093 Rehoboth Beach, DE $77,241 Seaford, DE $77,285 Selbyville, DE $76,965 Smyrna, DE $77,931 Viola, DE $77,572 Woodside, DE $77,781

Bear, DE $77,601 Newark, DE $77,572 Claymont, DE $77,731 Delaware City, DE $77,650 Hockessin, DE $77,565 Kirkwood, DE $77,635 Middletown, DE $77,665 Montchanin, DE $77,583

New Castle, DE $77,594 Odessa, DE $77,703 Port Penn, DE $77,755 Rockland, DE $77,591 Saint Georges, DE $77,640 Townsend, DE $77,760 Winterthur, DE $77,600 Lewes, DE $77,269

Wilmington, DE $77,569 Dover, DE $77,877 Dover Afb, DE $77,467 Bethany Beach, DE $77,012 Bethel, DE $77,091 Bridgeville, DE $77,273 Camden Wyoming, DE $77,658 Cheswold, DE $77,852

Clayton, DE $77,854 Dagsboro, DE $76,958 Delmar, DE $76,834 Ellendale, DE $77,068 Felton, DE $77,502 Fenwick Island, DE $76,975 Frankford, DE $76,841 Frederica, DE $77,578

Georgetown, DE $76,929 Greenwood, DE $77,285 Harbeson, DE $77,011 Harrington, DE $77,403 Hartly, DE $77,644 Houston, DE $77,293 Kenton, DE $77,858 Laurel, DE $76,883

Yorklyn, DE $77,588

Directional Drill Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Directional Drill Operator'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 June 01, 2026

$68,938

Average $77,661/year

$88,173

$5,745

Average $6,472/month

$7,348

$1,326

Average $1,493/week

$1,696

$33

Average $37/hour

$42

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$88,173	$7,348	$1,696	$42
Average	$77,661	$6,472	$1,493	$37
25th Percentile	$68,938	$5,745	$1,326	$33

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