As the oil and gas industry continues its upward trend, the availability of jobs in Texas and surrounding states is climbing. However, while other states still need plenty of oil workers, Texas continues to reign supreme when it comes to drilling rig jobs. Whether it’s Midland, Houston, Dallas or other areas in the Lone Star State, there are numerous types of drilling rig jobs in Texas.
Roustabout
Considered to be the most-common entry-level job on drilling rigs, a roustabout is a very physical job that requires stamina, a willingness to work in almost any weather conditions and lots of overtime. However, in exchange for all that roustabouts earn a high hourly wage, accrue lots of overtime pay and often have accommodations as well as meals provided for them. Some of the typical duties of a roustabout are:
- Painting
- Trash removal
- Ditch digging
In addition to these duties, roustabouts are often responsible for picking up and finding suitable ways to store equipment, pipes and other materials needed for the job each day. Working under the supervision of a Driller, roustabouts essentially perform whatever tasks are needed on the rig, be it big or small.
Motor Hand
Considered one of the most essential members of a rig’s team, a motor hand makes sure all the motors are in good working order and working as expected. Responsible for general equipment maintenance on the rig, motor hands are required to be mechanically-inclined and be able to work under a variety of conditions. They are also responsible for training new crew members in how to do such jobs as roustabout and roughneck, meaning they also need to be able to get along well with others and have excellent communication skills.
Swamper
While the job title may sound a bit unusual, the swamper performs a critical service on any oil rig. The major portion of their day is spent helping truck drivers or crane operators assemble or disassemble oil drilling rigs. Most swampers get their start on both on and offshore drilling rigs, where they are seen as a jack-of-all-trades.
Driller
Eventually, most members of an oil rig team hope to advance to the position of Driller. In this job, the person runs the drilling rig and is responsible for moving, positioning and setting up the rig. Along with this, the driller plans and organizes the other worker’s activities each day, making sure all necessary work is being done. Driller jobs are currently in high demand throughout Texas, so the opportunity is there for those who have the necessary skills.
As the need for new sources of oil continues to grow, more and more opportunities are expected to be available on Texas drilling rigs. Whether it is an entry-level position as a roustabout or a supervisory position such as Driller, those who are looking for jobs with high pay and excellent benefits will have the chance to put their skills to the test in many places throughout Texas.