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.

$52,610
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+1% projected 2024โ€“2034
No formal educational credential
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Service unit operators in oil, gas, and mining work directly at well sites and drilling locations to solve mechanical problems and maintain production equipment. They operate specialized rigs and tools to perform critical interventions when wells malfunction or drilling equipment becomes stuck underground. Their primary responsibility involves using heavy equipment to pull obstructed pipes, remove broken tools, or extract casing that has become lodged in wells thousands of feet below the surface. These operators also work to increase oil and gas flow from existing wells by performing maintenance procedures like cleaning out debris, replacing worn components, or adjusting downhole equipment.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Nicholls State University, LA
$63,555
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Lackawanna College, PA
$63,377
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(certificate)Lewis and Clark Community College, IL
$61,659
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Bossier Parish Community College, LA
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Casper College, WY
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, PA
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Coastal Bend College, TX
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Eastern Arizona College, AZ
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Fletcher Technical Community College, LA
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, IL
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Williston State College, ND
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Big Sandy Community and Technical College, KY
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Bismarck State College, ND
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Western Wyoming Community College, WY
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Westmoreland County Community College, PA
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Aims Community College, CO
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Lone Star College System, TX
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Madisonville Community College, KY
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Midland College, TX
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Navarro College, TX
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)North Central Texas College, TX
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Northern Wyoming Community College District, WY
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, OK
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Palo Alto College, TX
$59,357
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians(associates)Pierpont Community and Technical College, WV
$59,357

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