How Much Does a Roustabout Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$46,960
Roustabouts in the U.S. earn a median of $46,960 a year, or $22.58 an hour. Half of roustabouts earn more than $46,960 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $64,530.
Pay percentiles for roustabouts
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.51 | $36,420 |
| 25th | $18.68 | $38,850 |
| 50th (median) | $22.58 | $46,960 |
| 75th | $27.94 | $58,120 |
| 90th | $31.03 | $64,530 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Roustabouts, Oil and Gas (SOC 47-5071). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for roustabouts
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $60,810 | $29.23 | +29% |
| North Dakota | $60,480 | $29.08 | +29% |
| Montana | $58,800 | $28.27 | +25% |
| Florida | $57,080 | $27.44 | +22% |
| Nebraska | $53,340 | $25.64 | +14% |
| Indiana | $51,740 | $24.87 | +10% |
| Michigan | $51,720 | $24.87 | +10% |
| Ohio | $51,230 | $24.63 | +9% |
| South Dakota | $50,370 | $24.22 | +7% |
| New Mexico | $50,000 | $24.04 | +6% |
| United States | $46,960 | $22.58 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many roustabouts are there?
BLS counts about 44,970 roustabouts employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Roustabouts, Oil and Gas”. The most jobs are in Texas (24,430), Louisiana (3,460) and Oklahoma (2,730).
The mean (average) annual wage is $49,200, higher than the median of $46,960.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,913
- Biweekly
- $1,806
- Weekly
- $903
- Daily (8 hours)
- $181
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do roustabouts make an hour?
The median hourly wage for roustabouts is $22.58. The middle 50% earn between $18.68 and $27.94 an hour.
Which state pays roustabouts the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for roustabouts at $60,810, +29% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for roustabouts?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of roustabouts earn less than $36,420 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.