5 In-Demand Oil Field Jobs

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According to industry forecasts, the U.S. will soon surpass Saudi Arabia and become the largest oil producer in the world. Thanks to high oil prices and technological developments, oil booms are springing up across the U.S., transforming everyday small towns into thriving energy hubs. Thankfully for U.S. workers, this boom has created an insatiable need for more oil workers. In fact, one report claims that 1.3 million more oilfield jobs will be added by 2020. There are a variety of ways to prosper from the oil boom, but the five positions below are desperately needed to support the American energy revolution of the 21st century.

1. Truck Driver

Truck drivers are in high demand across the oil and gas sector. From hauling fracking sand away and moving equipment to transporting water and oil, oil companies are in desperate need of truck drivers to support their operations. According to truck drivers in the oil industry, a trucker can earn upwards of $2,500 a week, making it a lucrative profession for anyone with a CDL and commercial trucking experience.

2. Derrick Hand

New oil rigs may be springing up every day, but most of today’s derrick hands are aging and approaching retirement. This creates tremendous opportunity for anyone who is capable of maintaining pumps, monitoring drilling fluid, guiding drill pipes, and working in difficult environments. With an average annual income of $69,000 a year, derrick hands earn a handsome income for all of their hard work.

3. Roustabout

The name changes depending on the company, but roustabouts, floor hands, or lease hands are needed to perform a wide variety of general tasks on America’s growing number of oil rigs. According to the Drilling Oil and Natural Gas Wells Salary Survey, roustabouts bring home $54,000 a year on average. For this wage, they are expected to handle a variety of essential tasks on an oil rig site that doesn’t require much technical knowledge. From swinging a hammer to equipment maintenance and everything in between, roustabouts perform intensive general labor needed on oil sites each and every day.

4. Measuring-While-Drilling Field Engineer

An MWD field engineer is responsible for taking accurate readings throughout the drilling process in order to evaluate the drill site and ensure proper drilling. According to Glassdoor.com, MWD field engineers can earn up to $83,000 a year for measuring all of the numbers essential for efficient drilling. These numbers are critical for the success of every drill hole, making MWD engineers highly valuable and sought after by every drilling company.

5. Welder

According to instructor Bob Blackwell of the Montana State University-Billings College of Technology, the welding industry is experiencing tremendous growth, thanks in large part to the increasing need for welders to maintain and repair the growing number of oil rigs populating the rural landscape. Welders are in such high demand that oil companies are luring welders away from their current employers by offering them up to $10,000 a month or more.