Salaries on offshore oil rigs and in the gas industry
Roustabouts start at approximately US $300 per day
Roughnecks (drill deck workers) can earn up to US $355 per day.
As an annual salary that would be approximately US $47,000 per annum.
As a driller you are likely to make US $420 per day or US $56,000 per annum approximately.
Toolpushers and drill leader positions, chief and supervisor positions are likely to make US $75,000 - US $100,000 per year
If you choose to work overseas your rate of pay may increase dramatically.
Entry level positions are likely to make US $50,000 - US $80,000 per year.
Trades/ technical/ professional are likely to make $70,000-$220,000 per year
Offshore Installation Manager: This person is in overall charge of the rig. He has often worked his way up thought the drill crew ranks so therefor knows exactly what needs to be done.
Toolpusher: This offshore oil rig employment position entails working in the rig offices and on the rig floor. He is usually an experienced driller and also has responsibilities on the main deck of the oil rig.
Company Man: This person works for the oil company instead of the drilling company who is manning the rig. He is there to be a representative for the oil company. His job is to supervise the interests of his company, helping the strategy for drilling the well.
Driller: Is in charge of everything happening on and above the rig floor, therefore has a high level of responsibility. This is the person who actually operates the drilling equipment, making the hole in the sea bed.
Assistant Driller: This offshore oil rig employment position performs many tasks but most depend on the particular drilling operation in progress at that time. He is the direct supervisor of the derrickmen and roughnecks.
Derrickman: Is responsible for the maintenance and smooth running of the mud pumps and the mud holding pits among the rest of the machines in the mud pump room. They may be required to assist the roughnecks is they are not needed in the mud pump room and the drilling floor is busy. This man will also climb the derrick, which is a tall drilling tower, to assist racking drill pipe when it is being pulled out of the hole.
Roughneck: Works in a team of three on the rig floor and is responsible for the operation of equipment and machinery, which is required at the time. While drilling one roughneck is present in the mud.
Subsea Engineer: Is responsible for the blow out preventer unit, and the motion compensation system of the rig along with other duties.
Assistant Subsea Engineer: These offshore drilling jobs entail assisting the subsea engineer. This person who holds this position can sometimes be promoted to from a roughneck but usually has some mechanical background.
Crane Operator: Is responsible for all crane operations on the rig and to and from supply vessels. He supervises his assistant and the roustabout crew.
Assistant Crane Operator: is an experienced roustabout who is also qualified to work cranes. He will usually be the guy who gets the promotion to crane operator when the position arises.
Roustabout: Main duties include guiding the crane as loads are moved around the deck, supplying any equipment needed to the rig floor as requested and keeping the pipe deck and main deck areas clean and tidy. They will also get to assist roustabouts on the drilling floor if required. The roustabout will have his meal break and then report to the drilling floor so that a roughneck can go for his meal break. Then when the roughneck comes back another goes until they have all eaten when the roustabout will go back to his normal duties.
Radio Operator: Needs a GMDSS radio operator's license. Is responsible for the onboard communications system, helicopter logistics, preparation on personnel onboard lists, lifeboat and emergency muster lists, T-cards and more. You will also need excellent PC skills, admin skills, and people skills. The radio room is the place where all in and out communications involving the rig etc.
Medic: Given the nature of offshore oil rig drilling jobs, there needs to be a qualified medic on board the rig. They usually have a high level of medical training; although very rarely a doctor may be a former nurse. On smaller rigs they may have a double up job as the rig safety and training coordinator. Responsible for the sick bay and medical stocks, and also issues the medication like a pharmacist would. Rig crews usually have medical checkups every six months. There is also a trained first aider in every team.
Maintenance Supervisor: As either an electrical or mechanical background and oversees the whole maintenance crews work.
Electrician: Responsible for all electrical equipment on boards the rig including and right down to the changing of the light bulbs in accommodation modules.
Mechanic: Is responsible for all mechanical equipment onboard the rig including the drilling package.
Motorman: These off shore oil rig jobs entails ensuring the smooth running of rig power as well as other general duties in the engine room affecting this.
Instrument Technical: Responsible for calibration of measurement equipment, gauges, and alarm panels etc.
Barge Engineer: Is in charge of control room operations. He may have served time as a master mariner in the merchant navy that crossed over to the oil industry. He is responsible for stability of the rig, anchor operations during a rig move, and supply vessel operations.
Control Room Operator: This is the barge engineer's assistant and is responsible for keeping the rig afloat on a daily basis. He will also be involved with anchor running, and retrieving operations during rig move plus paper work for work permit and other stuff.
Painter: The painter is in charge of the rig painting programmed, and is given his work by the barge engineer. They often have to work at heights with scaffolding safety harnesses and or a basket, which is in place held by a crane. He usually makes his own scaffolding and may have an assistant if the rig doesn't have a maintenance roustabout crew.
Maintenance Roustabout: These off shore oil rig jobs main duties include general upkeep and cleaning of the main deck on the rig. This also includes painting.
Maintenance Foreman: Responsible for the maintenance roustabout crew and their work.
Welders: Are permanently on one rig and carry out all day repairs and building of new metal work. They are always busy. If there is a big welding job to do then a team of welders might be bought in.
Rig Safety and Training Co-ordinator: need good communication, organization and computer skills as well as a sense of responsibility. Full knowledge of the offshore safety laws and company policies is required.
Materials Man / Storeman: Responsible for stocking the store rooms to a correct level, including dispatch to different areas of the rig, noting down stock levels and ordering stock. They must know how to use a computer well.
Camp Boss: Is in charge of the catering department including all aspects (chefs, cooks, waiters, stewards/stewardesses).
Chef: Does the daily cooking including prep for the next day or shift, reports to the camp boss.
Night Cook / Baker: Bakes all the bread for the following day therefore this is an important job.
Scaffolders: These guys go where the work is they are not tied to any one offshore oil rig.
Mud Engineer: Is in charge of the drilling fluids being used they will likely have a degree in chemistry and will have good knowledge of the drilling process.
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