Oil rig work is one of the most man-power-intensive oil jobs in the oil and gas industry. Despite the intensive exhaustion, it goes with, it has remained the choice of many who want to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry. In our update today, we shall highlight key areas you need to know about the Oil rig jobs. We shall provide in-depth details on how to become an oil rig worker, oil rig pay per hour, work on oil rig, offshore oil rig as well as Oil rig worker salary range.
What is an Oil Rig
For clarity on what this job entails, it is important you get to know what an oil rig is. An oil rig is a building that is situated over a drilling site or oil well. These buildings have specialized machinery and implements for storing and extracting oil. On land or in the ocean, professionals can work on oil rigs. Oil platforms, on which experts work to collect oil from undersea wells, are floating oil rigs, as opposed to drilling rigs, which are oil rigs above land deposits.
What Does an Oil Rig Worker Do?
Supporting oil and gas drilling and extraction operations on an offshore oil platform is part of your job duties as an oil rig worker. On the rig, you could carry out a specialized duty or just carry out general labor activities. Derrickman and driller positions on an oil rig deal directly with the machinery required to drill and extract oil. Other jobs like cooking, cleaning, or rendering medical services are also possible for you.
What are Jobs on an Oil Rig?
On an oil rig, professionals can play a variety of responsibilities. We may find these roles in.
- Driller: Professionals who run the drilling machinery on the rig are known as drillers.
- Mechanic: Mechanics operate on a rig to maintain and repair tools, machinery, and drilling equipment
- Electrician: To maintain and repair the electrical systems used in drilling, electricians may work on a rig.
- Roustabout: Roustabouts are experts in the oil industry who clean, maintain, and prepare a rig’s oil drilling machinery. They carry out a variety of physical tasks, such as loading equipment, cleaning the rig, and fastening the drilling equipment.
- Rig welder: Welders can operate on an oil rig to secure or weld metal tools and equipment, such as pipe fittings.
- Crane operator: Crane operators utilize cranes to carry heavy items like pipes, storage containers, and drilling materials on an oil rig.
- Engineer: Engineers may create and evaluate drilling plans while working on an oil rig. They might be experts in things like drilling, pipeline systems, or chemical storage.
- Rig medic: Medical experts that work on the rig to treat team members who are ill or injured are known as rig medics.
- Rig cook: For offshore oil rigs, some oil firms may employ rig cooks. These experts help prepare and serve food to team members.
Oil Rig Work Environment
Professionals who operate on oil rigs do so on either ashore or offshore platforms. All experts in this industry receive training to help ensure safety during drilling because this work can be hazardous. Oil drilling frequently occurs at night, and those working in this industry could put in 12-hour stints on alternate weeks. For instance, someone might work for 12 hours before taking a 12-hour nap. For the course of their shifts, which typically last several weeks, this pattern is repeated.
People who work in this field frequently stay on or close to the oil rig. If they labor on the land, they might commute to the drilling site, or if the location is far away, their employer might arrange for them to stay at a nearby hotel. Professionals typically spend the entirety of their shifts living on off-shore floating oil rigs. They may take a boat to get back to land if the oil rig was close to the shore. They might use a helicopter to get there if the oil rig is distant from the coast.
Oil Rig Worker Salary
Petroleum engineers make a median yearly salary of $137,720, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; half make more, and half make less. Derrick operators and other equipment specialists get an average pay of $48,030. The location of the oil rig has a big impact on these wages. For instance, oil field employees in Alaska typically earn more than those in Texas, despite Texas having more drilling locations and personnel overall.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roustabouts typically make $41,280 a year. Roustabouts typically make $48,370 in Alaska, compared to $32,940 in Texas. Roustabouts who are prepared to move are likely to earn more money over the course of the job.
Oil Rig Pay Per Hour
The average hourly compensation for an oil rig worker in the United States is $25, however, the normal salary range is between $21 and $31. The hourly wage might vary significantly depending on a variety of significant aspects, including education, credentials, additional talents, and the length of time you have been in your line of work.
| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Driller | $31 – $35 | $33 |
| Floorhand | $20 – $24 | $22 |
| Directional Driller | $16 – $113 | $25 |
| Oil Rig Motorman | $23 – $26 | $25 |
| Equipment Operator | $0 – $0 (Estimated *) | $18 |
| Laborer | $0 – $0 (Estimated *) | $21 |
| Oil Well Driller | $0 – $0 (Estimated *) | $23 |
Oil Rig Worker Salary Texas
Texas’s average yearly salary for the category of Oil Rig employment as of September 7, 2022, is $57,522. That comes out to about $27.66 an hour, in case you need a quick pay calculator. This is equal to $4,793 every month or $1,106 per week.
Although there are incomes as high as $252,016 and as low as $18,218, the bulk of Oil Rig jobs category earnings currently fall between $33,399 (25th percentile) and $65,931 (75th percentile), with the highest earners (90th percentile) making $112,777 annually in Texas. Oil rig worker salary Texas remains one of the highest paying.
According to skill level, location, and years of experience, the average salary range for an oil rig job can vary greatly (up to $32,532), indicating there may be numerous prospects for advancement and better pay.
Additionally, North Sea oil rig worker salaries and oil rig worker salary Florida are also among the most competitive in the industry.
How to Become an Oil Rig Worker
Make sure you adhere to the rules.
To assist guarantee safety during the extraction process, oil corporations may establish their own norms and regulations. As you consider your options for a career, make sure you are qualified before applying. The following qualifications are normally necessary for professionals to work on an oil rig, though they may differ depending on the company:
- The age of the majority is 18 years.
- A physical fitness test with flying colors
- Be prepared to work 12-hour shifts and evenings for several weeks at a time.
Increase your knowledge of the oil sector
You might find that learning about the oil sector will help you land a job. To learn more about the oil field and industry, take into account researching information online, get in touch with network contacts, enroll in college courses, or finish an online training program. This might aid in locating the ideal position for you on an oil rig. For instance, after learning about the extraction procedure, you can decide that becoming an engineer or welder is what you want to do. You might be able to decide whether this is the best course for you by speaking with network connections who have worked on an oil rig.
Pick a course.
To assist you in acquiring the necessary technical skills, think about choosing a professional route early. Before applying for a job on an oil rig, for instance, you may start a training program to assist you hone your electrical skills if you decide you want to work as an electrician. Some positions on oil rigs may call for additional schooling. A medic, for example, might require a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in the medical area. Early in your career, you can assist develop a plan for your chosen professional path by investigating various roles.
Acquire relevant work experience
Consider acquiring professional experience relevant to your function as you choose a career route. Working as a mechanic, electrician, or doctor, for instance, could assist you in developing the necessary abilities. Gaining experience in repairing or maintaining machines could be beneficial to you since many oil rig workers use oil equipment.
Look into apprenticeship possibilities
Depending on the route you want to take, you might look into apprenticeship options. For mechanics and electricians, this is typical. In an apprenticeship, seasoned or masterful professionals in the field supervise the training of younger professionals. Some workers on oil rigs complete their apprenticeships in fields unrelated to oil. You may, for instance, finish your apprenticeship as an electrician and pursue a career as a home electrician.
Other oil rig professionals complete apprenticeships on land-based oil platforms. Since these positions frequently require less training than those at offshore facilities, they might be an excellent way for recent graduates to obtain experience. If you’re interested in working on a rig’s mechanical or electrical systems, look into local apprenticeship possibilities.
Create a resume and cover letter
Consider updating your CV and cover letter for the oil business as you gain experience. A section outlining your technical expertise, professional experience, and any pertinent schooling or training may be included. When writing your cover letters, think about doing some research on job postings. You can use this to tailor your letters to particular positions.
Apply for entry-level positions
You can start applying for entry-level work on oil rigs once you’ve created your résumé and cover letter. It is possible to apply for jobs as a cook, doctor, or roustabout. You may apply for these positions if you have specialist training, such as an electrician. Some oil companies offer on-the-job training, allowing new hires to gain experience while filling entry-level positions. Think about looking up opportunities online.
Perhaps you should apply for drilling rigs before offshore platforms. To keep people safe on the ocean, offshore drilling sites often require specialized training. While seeking further education, working on an oil site on land could help you hone your technical abilities.
Consider advanced education or training
You might transition into other professions as you gain expertise in the oil sector. As an illustration, some professionals begin their careers as roustabouts before becoming assistant drillers and ultimately drillers. For some positions, you can rise through the ranks while also learning technical skills on the job.
Some positions demand advanced training. For instance, you might require your Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) certificate if you choose to work on an offshore rig. Professionals are trained in offshore safety rules and procedures through this certificate program.
Additionally, advanced oil rig employment can call for a second degree. Engineers, for instance, can drill, store, or manage oil on an oil rig. It’s possible that you’ll need to go back to school to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree if becoming an engineer is what you want to do. When establishing plans for your career and schooling, think about researching your ideal role. Additionally, advanced oil rig employment can call for a second degree. Engineers, for instance, can drill, store, or manage oil on an oil rig.
Conclusion
If you desire to work in the oil and drilling sector then a job in an oil rig is your surest bet. You can start with very little intermediary entry-level position and then move up. Oil rig workers’ salary depends a lot on variables such as experience, age, and certification, among many other things.
Our update detailed all you need to know especially if you are just starting a career in the field of oil extraction and drilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest-paying job on an oil rig?
A drilling consultant working offshore might earn between $143,000 and $305,000 annually. As a result, it may be among the most profitable offshore platform jobs available.
What qualifications do you need to work on an oil rig?
You must successfully complete both the emergency training and basic offshore safety induction. a certificate of offshore medical fitness. Be at least 18 years old.
Is it hard working on an oil rig?
Physical labor and long hours are necessary for the arduous oil mining process. An average oil rig worker can put in shifts longer than 8 hours for seven to fourteen consecutive days. Crews may be at risk for fatigue while they work with the large machinery and equipment used on a rig.
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