Jobs Similar to Derrick Operators
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to derrick operators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Rotary Drill Operators, Helpers--Extraction Workers and Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators.
Derrick Operators: $58,620 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Derrick Operators) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasSame group | 82% | $67,890+16% | High school |
| 2 | Helpers--Extraction WorkersSame group | 81% | $47,730−19% | High school |
| 3 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface MiningSame group | 81% | $57,430−2% | High school |
| 4 | Dredge Operators | 79% | $49,640−15% | High school |
| 5 | Roustabouts, Oil and GasSame group | 79% | $46,960−20% | High school |
| 6 | Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground MiningSame group | 79% | $74,500+27% | High school |
| 7 | Service Unit Operators, Oil and GasSame group | 78% | $58,160−1% | High school |
| 8 | Roof Bolters, MiningSame group | 78% | $78,540+34% | High school |
| 9 | Earth Drillers, Except Oil and GasSame group | 78% | $60,190+3% | High school |
| 10 | Continuous Mining Machine OperatorsSame group | 78% | $61,810+5% | High school |
| 11 | Pile Driver Operators | 78% | $73,300+25% | High school |
| 12 | Crane and Tower Operators | 77% | $68,080+16% | Training or associate |
| 13 | Sailors and Marine Oilers | 77% | $51,520−12% | High school |
| 14 | Logging Equipment Operators | 77% | $49,740−15% | High school |
| 15 | Rock Splitters, QuarrySame group | 77% | $48,740−17% | High school |
| 16 | Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons | 77% | $61,290+5% | High school |
| 17 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | 77% | $49,880−15% | High school |
| 18 | Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | 77% | $70,070+20% | High school |
| 19 | Agricultural Equipment Operators | 77% | $41,730−29% | High school |
| 20 | Hoist and Winch Operators | 77% | $56,450−4% | High school |
- 1Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
82% similar · $67,890 (+16%) · High school · Same group
- 2Helpers--Extraction Workers
81% similar · $47,730 (−19%) · High school · Same group
- 3Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
81% similar · $57,430 (−2%) · High school · Same group
- 4Dredge Operators
79% similar · $49,640 (−15%) · High school
- 5Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
79% similar · $46,960 (−20%) · High school · Same group
- 6Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
79% similar · $74,500 (+27%) · High school · Same group
- 7Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
78% similar · $58,160 (−1%) · High school · Same group
- 8Roof Bolters, Mining
78% similar · $78,540 (+34%) · High school · Same group
- 9Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
78% similar · $60,190 (+3%) · High school · Same group
- 10Continuous Mining Machine Operators
78% similar · $61,810 (+5%) · High school · Same group
- 11Pile Driver Operators
78% similar · $73,300 (+25%) · High school
- 12Crane and Tower Operators
77% similar · $68,080 (+16%) · Training or associate
- 13Sailors and Marine Oilers
77% similar · $51,520 (−12%) · High school
- 14Logging Equipment Operators
77% similar · $49,740 (−15%) · High school
- 15Rock Splitters, Quarry
77% similar · $48,740 (−17%) · High school · Same group
- 16Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
77% similar · $61,290 (+5%) · High school
- 17Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
77% similar · $49,880 (−15%) · High school
- 18Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
77% similar · $70,070 (+20%) · High school
- 19Agricultural Equipment Operators
77% similar · $41,730 (−29%) · High school
- 20Hoist and Winch Operators
77% similar · $56,450 (−4%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than derrick operators.
- Roof Bolters, Mining78% similar · $78,540 (+34%)
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining79% similar · $74,500 (+27%)
- Pile Driver Operators78% similar · $73,300 (+25%)
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators77% similar · $70,070 (+20%)
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas82% similar · $67,890 (+16%)
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators78% similar · $61,810 (+5%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for derrick operators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where derrick operators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Dredge Operators (86)
- Agricultural Equipment Operators (77)
- Hoist and Winch Operators (77)
- Logging Equipment Operators (77)
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (77)
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons (77)
- Sailors and Marine Oilers (77)
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (76)
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners (76)
- Wellhead Pumpers (76)
Questions about jobs like derrick operators
What jobs are most similar to derrick operators?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Rotary Drill Operators (82% similar), Helpers--Extraction Workers (81% similar), Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators (81% similar), Dredge Operators (79% similar) and Roustabouts (Oil and Gas) (79% similar).
Which jobs like derrick operators pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Roof Bolters ($78,540, +34%; usually a high school diploma), Loading and Moving Machine Operators ($74,500, +27%; usually a high school diploma) and Pile Driver Operators ($73,300, +25%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with derrick operators ($58,620). Without more preparation than derrick operators usually need: Roof Bolters, Loading and Moving Machine Operators and Pile Driver Operators.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.