Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Construction and Extraction
Drives truck-mounted units to well sites and operates the controls that raise derricks, level rigs, and run pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids to clear sand and other blockages. Installs pressure-control devices on wellheads and may use fishing tools to recover stuck pipe, casing, or tools. Listens to engines and rotary chains for trouble, inspects gear for safety, and talks with others about pipe sizes and borehole conditions before acting. Writes reports of tools used, time spent, and work done for billing. Suits people who like diagnosing mechanical problems on site and deciding the next move under changing well conditions.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$58'160
Median Wage Market Position
$58'160
What you might do
- Pump fluids through wells to clear sand
- Fit pressure-control devices onto wellheads
- Raise derricks or level the rig
- Listen for engine or well problems
- Inspect tools and equipment for safety
- Drive truck-mounted units to well sites
Skills that matter
- Listening for faulty engines and chains
- Raising derricks and leveling rigs
- Decisions on freeing stuck pipe
- Pressure-control devices fitted on wellheads
- Service reports written for billing
- Borehole conditions discussed with others
AI & the future of this role
Wellside equipment work stays physical and site-specific, with shifting conditions that automation may struggle to cover alone. Remote monitoring could assist planning, yet hands-on fishing tools, flow control, and on-the-spot judgment still tend to anchor the role.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details