Earth Drillers Salary by State
The national median pay for earth drillers is $60,190 a year. By state, it ranges from $45,560 in Maine to $80,490 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $44,460
- 25th percentile
- $49,900
- Median
- $60,190
- 75th percentile
- $72,450
- Top 10%
- $83,800
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 19,450 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $80,490 | +34% | $51,020 | $106,370 | 210 |
| 2 | Alaska | $80,040 | +33% | $61,180 | $94,630 | 290 |
| 3 | Illinois | $79,080 | +31% | $61,690 | $107,980 | 330 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $77,950 | +30% | $49,390 | $128,740 | 400 |
| 5 | Montana | $71,470 | +19% | $60,110 | $104,280 | 180 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $68,320 | +14% | $51,460 | $81,880 | 280 |
| 7 | California | $66,910 | +11% | $47,950 | $91,640 | 1,630 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $66,410 | +10% | $49,070 | $89,260 | 80 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $65,710 | +9% | $54,830 | $73,410 | 140 |
| 10 | Kansas | $65,600 | +9% | $44,800 | $76,950 | 80 |
| 11 | Oregon | $64,920 | +8% | $45,970 | $81,710 | 510 |
| 12 | Colorado | $64,820 | +8% | $46,190 | $92,180 | 280 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $64,450 | +7% | $47,420 | $78,260 | 90 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $64,180 | +7% | $51,350 | $86,420 | 130 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $63,790 | +6% | $47,920 | $91,980 | 340 |
| 16 | Indiana | $62,750 | +4% | $47,070 | $94,160 | 440 |
| 17 | Michigan | $62,570 | +4% | $49,710 | $78,470 | 850 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $62,570 | +4% | $42,210 | $102,300 | 110 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $61,500 | +2% | $39,990 | $122,300 | 120 |
| 20 | Vermont | $61,420 | +2% | $57,330 | $79,440 | 70 |
| 21 | Maryland | $61,260 | +2% | $46,130 | $76,670 | 120 |
| 22 | Nevada | $61,030 | +1% | $42,210 | $85,350 | 1,350 |
| 23 | Ohio | $61,010 | +1% | $42,200 | $104,470 | 390 |
| 24 | New York | $60,860 | +1% | $50,140 | $96,910 | 670 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $60,680 | +1% | $39,670 | $81,990 | 250 |
| 26 | Utah | $60,490 | 0% | $46,360 | $79,470 | 310 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $60,200 | 0% | $48,230 | $73,510 | 210 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $60,140 | 0% | $37,040 | $91,070 | 100 |
| 29 | Arizona | $58,870 | −2% | $49,040 | $76,220 | 850 |
| 30 | Texas | $58,700 | −2% | $39,210 | $80,170 | 1,930 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $58,670 | −3% | $43,620 | $76,630 | 450 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $57,400 | −5% | $46,180 | $75,680 | 730 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $57,300 | −5% | $40,770 | $89,370 | 290 |
| 34 | Delaware | $57,160 | −5% | $52,760 | $70,400 | Not published |
| 35 | South Dakota | $57,160 | −5% | $48,310 | $70,100 | 80 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $56,160 | −7% | $45,200 | $73,830 | 80 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $55,690 | −7% | $46,040 | $74,960 | 190 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $55,540 | −8% | $43,380 | $62,400 | 240 |
| 39 | Virginia | $55,470 | −8% | $45,370 | $72,730 | 440 |
| 40 | Florida | $55,320 | −8% | $43,380 | $63,180 | 1,630 |
| 41 | Idaho | $54,830 | −9% | $45,300 | $78,460 | 450 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $54,180 | −10% | $44,140 | $77,030 | 250 |
| 43 | Iowa | $54,000 | −10% | $47,130 | $66,720 | 190 |
| 44 | Missouri | $51,530 | −14% | $37,440 | $68,230 | 370 |
| 45 | Georgia | $50,030 | −17% | $35,680 | $81,650 | 870 |
| 46 | Alabama | $46,440 | −23% | $43,740 | $67,970 | 170 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $46,160 | −23% | $37,290 | $62,330 | 110 |
| 48 | Maine | $45,560 | −24% | $31,960 | $69,050 | 70 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Earth Drillers salary questions
Which state pays earth drillers the most?
Washington, with a median of $80,490 a year (+34% vs. the national median of $60,190). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays earth drillers the least?
Maine, with a median of $45,560 a year (−24% vs. national).
Where do most earth drillers work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 1,930, with a median of $58,700.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.