How Much Do Service Unit Operators Make?
Service Unit Operators operate equipment that increases oil flow or removes obstructions from oil and gas wells. Official pay data from the BLS May 2025 wage survey.
The median service unit operator salary is $58,160 per year — 14% above the $50,980 median for all U.S. occupations. About 43,140 people work in this trade nationwide.
Pay by percentile
| Percentile | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,940 | Entry level / lowest-paid areas |
| 25th | $47,480 | Early career |
| 50th — median | $58,160 | The typical worker |
| 75th | $73,230 | Experienced |
| 90th | $97,560 | Top earners / highest-paid areas |
Lifetime earnings potential
At today's median wage, here is what a career as a service unit operator adds up to (in constant 2025 dollars, before raises or promotions — a conservative floor, not a projection):
| Career length | At the median ($58,160/yr) | In the top 10% ($97,560/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $581,600 | $975,600 |
| 20 years | $1,163,200 | $1,951,200 |
| 30 years | $1,744,800 | $2,926,800 |
Reaching the top 10% instead of the median is worth $1,182,000 over a 30-year career — usually the gap between entry-level work and specialization, licenses, or high-paying states. Compare this trade against any other with the trade comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do service unit operators make?
- The median annual wage for service unit operators, oil and gas is $58,160 (BLS OES, May 2025). The middle 50% earn between $47,480 and $73,230.
- What do the top service unit operators earn?
- The top 10% of service unit operators earn $97,560 or more per year, while the bottom 10% earn $38,940 or less.
- Is $58,160 good pay?
- It is 14% above the median for all U.S. occupations ($50,980, BLS May 2025).