Construction & Extraction
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Also called: Pulling Unit Operator, Reverse Unit Operator, Rig Operator, Service Operator
US median pay
$58,160
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.1%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
3,800
43,800 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.
- Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring4.0/5
- Operation and Control3.8/5
- Troubleshooting3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Repairing3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Engineering and Technology3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma63%
- Less than high school37%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.