How Much Do Oil Rig Jobs Pay?

Workers on oil rigs may work on shore within the United States or be required to live and work on offshore oil drilling platforms in diverse locations around the world. Compensation varies depending on the need for workers and the location of the drilling operation.

Roustabouts.
A roustabout is the term applied to a general oil field maintenance worker. Duties involve heavy lifting of equipment and oil field supplies. A roustabout maintains the drill site, assembles oil field equipment, moves pipe, parts and paints the drilling rig. Because equipment is
exposed to a constant assault of the elements, equipment is continually sanded and repainted. The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in September 2009 the average hourly pay rate for a roustabout is $16.44 per hour or an annual wage of $34,190. Offshore oil rig roustabouts earn considerably more, with wages varying by company and location. The average wage for an offshore roustabout is $24.70 or an annual salary of
$51,4000. Offshore benefits also include housing, meals and incentive bonuses. Rigworker, an employment resource for oil field workers reports that in 2010 offshore maintenance roustabouts received an annual average wage of $47,000. Roustabouts that work the drilling floor on off shore rigs make an average salary of $54,000. The discrepancies in wages are due to demand. There are many active "hot spots" within the industry, including the very active Williston Basin in North Dakota.

Petroleum engineers.
The BLS reports that in September 2009, the New Iberia non-metropolitan area of Louisiana had the highest concentration of all types of oil industry workers. Petroleum engineers who calculate and design the different procedures required to drill and produce an oil well made an average annual salary of $84,960. Petroleum engineers in Texas made an average annual wage of $116.210 as of September 2009.

Brazers & Welders.
Brazers and welders in the oil field are responsible for safely attaching well head and pumping equipment to the oilfield casing. They deal with locations that may have highly volatile gases and fuels present. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that in September 2009, oil industry welders in Louisiana make an average annual wage of $37,330.

Offshore Cranes Operators.
xperienced crane operators who work the giant cranes on offshore drilling platforms are in high demand. Rigworker reports opportunities for employment that pay $69,500 per year as of 2010. Crane operators are responsible for safely transporting drill pipe and supplies from boats to the drilling floor. Crane operators also supervise assistant crane operators and roustabouts that help with crane operator duties.