Lucrative Benefits
The oil and gas industry is host to many high-paying jobs. Drill and pump operators earn as much as $70,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Risk managers and offshore drillers earn $50,000 or more based on experience.
As in any industry, the more education and experience you have, the more the salary rises. Engineering jobs are the most lucrative with petroleum engineers earning up to $130,000 per year.
Job Diversity
A wide range of oil and gas jobs exist, and as the industry changes, so will the job demands. Entry-level positions include field service technicians and junior field operators. Pipeline laborers install pipes and perform various repairs. Roustabouts work on the repair and maintenance work of oil rigs. More experienced workers have high-ranking positions as risk managers or drilling consultants.
Drilling engineer jobs are common with specialties in petroleum, refinery, pipeline and offshore. Petroleum geologists are trained to discover oil and work on its production.
Drilling jobs abroad exist where oil rigs are located. There are job openings in Kuwait, Dubai, Oman and many other countries in Asia, the Middle East, North America and Africa. American jobs are found near oil rigs in northern Alaska.
Stability
The oil and gas industry will always have a steady stream of jobs available. From entry level to executive, anyone can secure a position in this industry. BLS reports in 2009 stated that more than 60,000 jobs exist in the U.S. and nearly 10,000 jobs are found in Texas. Despite constant fluctuations in energy and power demands, thousands more drilling jobs are needed as more oil fields are explored.
The oil and gas industry is controlled by strict government regulations and depleting resources. Every few years, there is a new issue that affects how companies drill for oil. However, the number of job opportunities will remain high. The latest drilling jobs are found in a diverse range from entry-level rigging positions to managers and highly paid scientists. Future workers in oil and gas should learn as much information as possible before deciding to work in the industry.