Oil Rig Operator
Love working outside? Are you not scared of dirt and mud? The oilfield has tons of reawrding careers for some of the hardest working people in the world!
Operate and maintain drilling equipment on oil rigs, monitor pressure gauges, and ensure safe extraction of petroleum resources.
Salary Range
$45,000 – $85,000
per year (10th–90th percentile)
Median Salary
$47,920
per year
Growth Outlook
2024–2034 projected
Tasks & Responsibilities
- Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
- Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
- Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
- Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
- Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
- Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
- Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
Tools of the Trade
Knowledge Areas
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 65/100
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 58/100
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 55/100
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 51/100
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 46/100
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. 44/100
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 42/100
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 37/100
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. 35/100
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. 35/100
Work Profile
Start your Oil Operator career today
Classet connects skilled trades workers with employers hiring now. Apply and interview 24/7 with our AI-powered platform.