Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Median pay: $58,160/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +0.4% projected growth, 2024–2034 — slower than average.
About 4,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
• Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
• Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
• Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
• Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
• Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
• Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
• Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
What's the median pay for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?
The median pay for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas is $58,160 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?
Employment for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas is projected to change +0.4% from 2024 to 2034 - slower than average.
What education is typically required for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
How many job openings are there each year for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?
About 4,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.