How to become a service unit operator, 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.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What service unit operators, oil and gas do
- Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- 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.
- Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Is service unit operator, oil and gas a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 14% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Alaska $106,480
- Missouri $90,580
- Montana $77,750
- New Mexico $64,990
- Nebraska $62,990
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.