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Tong Operator Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

ELLWOOD Group, Inc.

Forge/Hammer Operator

Navasota, TX · On-site

Forge Operator - DG80 Complex/Hammer Shop ELLWOOD Texas Forge Navasota is seeking safety-focused ... tong operation, and forging-hammer operation. * Strong attention to safety, quality, equipment ...

ELLWOOD Groups

Forge/Hammer Operator

Navasota, TX · On-site

Forge Operator - DG80 Complex/Hammer Shop ELLWOOD Texas Forge Navasota is seeking safety-focused ... tong operation, and forging-hammer operation. * Strong attention to safety, quality, equipment ...

Ranger Energy Services

Supervisor - Rig

Odessa, TX

Performs daily operation of the Tong's if needed * Pulls and lays down rods, tubing, casing, and ... Ability to understand Hazard ID cards and near hit cards, as well as follow standard operating ...

Ranger Energy Services LLC

Supervisor-Rig

Andrews, TX · On-site

Performs daily operation of the Tong's if needed * Pulls and lays down rods, tubing, casing, and ... Ability to understand Hazard ID cards and near hit cards, as well as follow standard operating ...

Ranger Energy Services

Supervisor - Rig

Kilgore, TX

Performs daily operation of the Tong's if needed * Pulls and lays down rods, tubing, casing, and ... Ability to understand Hazard ID cards and near hit cards, as well as follow standard operating ...

Ranger Energy Services

Supervisor - Rig

Wharton, TX

Performs daily operation of the Tong's if needed * Pulls and lays down rods, tubing, casing, and ... Ability to understand Hazard ID cards and near hit cards, as well as follow standard operating ...

Ranger Energy Services LLC

Supervisor-Rig

Odessa, TX · On-site

Performs daily operation of the Tong's if needed * Pulls and lays down rods, tubing, casing, and ... Ability to understand Hazard ID cards and near hit cards, as well as follow standard operating ...

Ranger Energy Services LLC

Supervisor-Rig

Kermit, TX · On-site

Performs daily operation of the Tong's if needed * Pulls and lays down rods, tubing, casing, and ... Ability to understand Hazard ID cards and near hit cards, as well as follow standard operating ...

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Tong Operator information

See Texas salary details

$11

$18

$27

How much do tong operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for tong operator in Texas is $18.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.91 and $21.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tong operator?

A Tong Operator is responsible for operating power tongs and other equipment used to grip and handle tubulars, such as drill pipe and casing, in oil and gas drilling or workover operations. They ensure proper torque is applied to connections, follow safety procedures, and assist the rig crew with pipe-handling tasks. This role requires physical strength, mechanical knowledge, and adherence to safety regulations to prevent accidents and equipment failures.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a tong operator on an oil or gas rig?

Tong Operators are primarily responsible for operating manual or hydraulic tongs to safely make up and break out drill pipe connections during drilling operations. Daily tasks often include inspecting and maintaining tong equipment, following safety procedures, assisting the drill crew, and reporting any equipment issues to supervisors. You’ll work closely with other rig personnel, such as Derrickhands and Drillers, to ensure that pipe handling operations are smooth and safe. The work is fast-paced, requires constant attention to safety, and may involve long shifts or physically demanding conditions, making teamwork and communication essential to success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the tong operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tong Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, physical strength, attention to safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with hydraulic tongs, basic rig tools, and safety protocols such as OSHA standards is typically required, and some employers may prefer candidates with certifications like SafeLand or H2S Awareness. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help operators coordinate safely and efficiently with the rig crew. These abilities are important to ensure smooth drilling operations, minimize risk, and maintain a safe and productive work environment.

What are popular job titles related to Tong Operator jobs in Texas?

For Tong Operator jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Tong Operator jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Tong Operator jobs in Texas are:

Tong Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tong Operator job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,415 per year, or $18.9 per hour.

Forge/Hammer Operator

ELLWOOD Group, Inc.

Navasota, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Ellwood Group rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Join the Mission!
Mastery. Integrity. Craft.
At Ellwood, we believe metal is a pillar of human process. What makes it possible are the people behind it; people who don't just meet the highest standards but define them. And who always respect the stakes at hand.
Check out the links below to see what our day looks like - See what drives us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yjgsLL6Qoo
https://www.ellwoodgroup.com/careers
Forge Operator - DG80 Complex/Hammer Shop
ELLWOOD Texas Forge Navasota is seeking safety-focused Forge Operators to join our forging operations in Navasota, Texas. Forge Operators work as part of a crew using industrial hammers, presses, furnaces, dies, tools, and material-handling equipment to heat and shape steel into forged parts. Employees are trained to perform multiple crew functions, including blowing scale, applying die lubricant, controlling and positioning heated material with tongs, and operating the forging hammer.
Employees may be assigned to the DG80 Complex or Hammer Shop based on their demonstrated abilities, experience, safety performance, and operational needs. Equipment and specific responsibilities vary by assigned work area.
This is highly physical, fast-paced work. Depending on assignment, operators use long-handled tongs and chain-assisted equipment to control and precisely position extremely heavy heated material. The equipment supports the material's weight, but operators must apply significant physical force and maintain a secure grip. Operators must respond quickly to crew signals and reposition material at the required time while remaining controlled, accurate, and safety-focused.
What You'll Do
  • Work as part of a forge crew to heat, preform, forge, trim, inspect, and move steel parts.
  • Train to perform and rotate through multiple forge-crew functions, including blowing scale from heated material and dies, applying die lubricant, using tongs to control and position heated material, and operating the forging hammer.
  • Assist Hammer Operators, Group Leads, and other crew members with forging operations, equipment setup, and die changes.
  • Use long-handled tongs and chain-assisted equipment to quickly and accurately guide, rotate, reposition, and control extremely heavy heated material in coordination with the Hammer Operator and other crew members.
  • Remove scale from heated material and dies and apply die lubricant at the proper time during the forging cycle.
  • Train to operate the forging hammer, carefully controlling hammer strikes to shape the part according to the required process and coordinating each strike with crew members handling the material.
  • Learn and respond to established hand signals, verbal directions, equipment cues, and the timing of the forging cycle.
  • Rotate among assigned crew stations based on training, demonstrated proficiency, safety performance, and operational needs.
  • Assist with heating, preparing, aligning, and maintaining dies at specified operating temperatures.
  • Operate or assist with forklifts, manipulators, cranes, and other material-handling equipment when assigned and authorized.
  • Inspect forged parts for cracks, mismatch, incomplete fill, scale pitting, surface imperfections, improper trimming, and other visible defects.
  • Use calipers and other assigned measuring tools to verify part requirements.
  • Return material for reheating or additional forging when directed.
  • Complete required equipment inspections and accurately document production and quality information.
  • Report unsafe conditions, equipment problems, process deviations, and potential quality concerns.
  • Package, identify, and move completed parts to the appropriate downstream operation.
  • Maintain a clean work area and follow all PPE, lockout/tagout, safety, quality, and operating procedures.
  • Perform other assigned duties based on production and operational needs.

What We're Looking For
  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Two years of experience in heavy manufacturing, steel, foundry, forging, press operation, industrial production, heavy equipment, or a similar hands-on environment.
  • Forging, forklift, mobile-equipment, high-temperature manufacturing, impact-wrench, or industrial-tool experience is preferred.
  • Ability to safely use industrial tools and work around large machinery, moving equipment, and heated material.
  • Ability to learn a coordinated forging process, follow crew signals, and adjust between fast, controlled material movements and careful hammer operation.
  • Willingness and ability to learn multiple forge-crew stations, including scale blowing, die lubrication, tong operation, and forging-hammer operation.
  • Strong attention to safety, quality, equipment movement, and surrounding crew members.
  • Dependable attendance, reliable transportation, and willingness to learn and work closely with a crew.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
  • Perform physically demanding forging work requiring the safe control and positioning of extremely heavy parts and materials at varying work heights, including work surfaces up to approximately 48 inches.
  • Depending on assignment, repeatedly grip and control long-handled tongs while applying physical force to slightly raise, push, pull, rotate, guide, and position extremely heavy material supported by chain-assisted equipment.
  • Maintain control of supported material and respond safely if it shifts, swings, rolls, binds, or does not align properly.
  • Perform repeated reaching, gripping, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, balancing, and body positioning throughout the assigned operation.
  • Stand and walk for extended periods while working at a steady and safety-focused pace.
  • Work in an extremely hot and loud heavy-manufacturing environment near steel heated to approximately 2,200°F.
  • Work around furnaces, heated dies, forging hammers, presses, moving equipment, vibration, oil, lubricants, dust, flying scale, sparks, and hot metal particles.
  • Wear all required personal protective equipment throughout the shift, which may include metatarsal safety boots, hard hat, face shield, hearing protection, safety glasses, leather apron, gloves, and long sleeves.

Schedule
Must be flexible and available to work assigned shifts, including a biweekly rotating schedule. Days, evenings, nights, weekends, overtime, and schedule changes may be required based on operational needs.
Why Join ELLWOOD?
ELLWOOD offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
  • Starting pay of $19.00 per hour
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on day one
  • Vested 401(k) retirement plan
  • 10 days of vacation and three sick days
  • On-site clinic
  • Shift differential and overtime opportunities
  • Company-provided uniforms and required PPE
  • Advancement opportunities
  • Additional company-sponsored benefits

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical, background check, and drug screening.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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