Oil and Gas Service Unit Operator Career Assessment
Servicing oil and gas wells in the Bakken — ND in-demand occupation
Welcome
Service unit operators run the equipment that services and repairs oil and gas wells.
In North Dakota, this is one of the biggest job openings on the trades list. You will explore whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Oil and Gas Service Unit Operator?
Service unit operators work on well sites, running workover rigs and other equipment to clean, repair, and maintain oil and gas wells so they keep producing.
The Reality: Oil field work is hard, outdoors, and in remote places. Winters are brutal. Schedules are long, often 12-hour days on rotation, and hiring goes up and down with oil prices.
Your Responsibilities:
- Operate workover and service rigs
- Run pumps and equipment on well sites
- Pull and replace well parts
- Follow strict safety rules (H2S gas)
- Drive service trucks between sites
- Inspect equipment
- Keep records
- Work as part of a crew
You keep North Dakota's energy flowing.
A Day in the Life
5:00 AM — Meet the crew at the yard near Williston.
6:00 AM — Drive to a remote well site. Safety meeting.
7:00 AM — Rig up the service unit.
9:00 AM — Pull rods and tubing to replace a worn pump.
12:00 PM — Lunch on site.
1:00 PM — Run the new pump back into the well.
4:00 PM — Rig down and move to the next site.
5:00 PM — Long day ends.
Long, physical days on remote well sites.
Training in North Dakota
No state license required. Many operators start as floorhands and train on the job. Safety certifications and a CDL help.
Training Pathways:
- Start as a floorhand: Entry-level crew member.
- Petroleum Technology program: A head start.
- Safety training: SafeLand and H2S classes are often required before starting.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- Williston State College (Williston) — Petroleum Technology & Automation, AAS (62 credits), certificate (31 credits), or short certificate
- TrainND Northwest (Williston State College) — SafeLand and H2S safety classes
Before You Start: Usually 18+. A valid driver's license; a CDL is often required. Drug testing. Physical fitness.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
No state license. Safety training is required. Employers require safety certifications before you start.
Certifications Employers Look For:
- SafeLand USA — basic oil field safety
- H2S awareness — hydrogen sulfide gas safety
- CDL — often required
- First Aid/CPR
The Exams: Short classes with tests.
Cost: Varies. Some employers pay.
Keeping It Current: Safety certs are renewed regularly.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Service Unit Operator (Oil and Gas) Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $18.08–$23.70/hour ($37,600–$49,290/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $29.24/hour ($60,810/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $37.42–$42.51/hour ($77,840–$88,410/year)
What that means: ND pay is above the national median. Overtime can add a lot.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 3,080 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 3,200 (about 4% growth). Expect about 300 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is little or no change.
Outlook: About 300 openings a year in ND, one of the largest numbers on the trades list. Hiring rises and falls with oil prices.
Who Hires in ND: Oil field service companies in the Bakken (Williston, Watford City, Dickinson area).
Work Setting: Remote outdoor well sites. Long days on rotation. Extreme cold, heat, and wind.
Physical Demands: Very high. Heavy lifting, climbing, outdoor work in extreme weather, and long hours.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 47-5013); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Rig Operator — Run the rig.
Path 2: Crew Supervisor / Toolpusher — Lead crews.
Path 3: Lease Operator — Maintain well sites.
Path 4: Safety Coordinator — Focus on safety.
Path 5: Automation Tech — With more training.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Many openings
- Start with little training
- Good pay and overtime
- Crew teamwork
- Advancement from the ground up
What's Hard:
- Very physical
- Extreme weather
- Long hours and rotations
- Remote locations
- Boom and bust hiring
- Safety risks (H2S gas)
Be Honest: Are you ready for hard physical work outdoors in all weather? Can you handle long rotations away from home? Are you OK with jobs that rise and fall with oil prices?