CFChooseField
Construction and Trades

Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
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Median pay

$57,980
Median annual pay for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

0.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

4,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

45,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience; Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Speaking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Mathematics
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Engineering and Technology
  5. 5Public Safety and Security
  6. 6Education and Training

Abilities

  1. 1Arm-Hand Steadiness
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Multilimb Coordination
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Hearing Sensitivity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Cautiousness
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Adaptability

Work activities

  1. 1Controlling Machines and Processes
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
  5. 5Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  6. 6Training and Teaching Others

Work context

  1. 1Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  2. 2Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  3. 3Frequency of Decision Making
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Exposed to Contaminants
  6. 6Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyComputerized maintenance management system CMMSData logger softwareInventory tracking softwareSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareTime and attendance software

The short answer

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.

The measurable national baseline is $57,980 median annual pay, 0.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 4,100 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas is $57,980. Current employment is 45,200, with projected 2034 employment of 45,400. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 0.4% employment growth for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas from 2024 to 2034 and about 4,100 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related work experience is Less than 5 years, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

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.

A representative O*NET task is: Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools. The broader activity profile emphasizes Controlling Machines and Processes, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening. Leading knowledge areas are Mechanical, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $57,980. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?

BLS projects 0.4% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 4,100 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas?

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas involve?

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.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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