03 — People

Rig Careers

Every position on a rig, what it pays, and how to get there. No experience required to start — just the willingness to learn from the ground up.

Guides

Career Guides

🪜

How to Become a Roughneck

The complete entry-level path — no experience needed. Certifications, physical requirements, and how to actually get hired.

Read the Guide →
🎛️

How to Become a Driller

The path from floorhand to running the console. What IWCF levels you need and how long it really takes.

Read the Guide →
🔥

How to Become a Rig Welder

Welding certifications, process qualifications, and the path to underwater welding or CWI inspector.

Read the Guide →
💰

Oil Rig Salary Guide

Real pay ranges for every position, onshore vs offshore, and how day rates and rotations affect take-home pay.

See Salaries →
📜

Certifications Explained

BOSIET, IWCF, NEBOSH, H₂S — what each certification covers and which roles require them.

See Certifications →
🌊

Offshore vs Onshore

Pay differences, rotation schedules, lifestyle tradeoffs, and how to decide which path fits you.

Compare →
Overview

Rig Hierarchy

Every person on a rig has a specific function. Drilling crews operate in 8- or 12-hour tours (shifts), with clear lines of authority from floorhand to company man.

PositionResponsibilitiesPay Range (US)Experience
Company ManClient Rep
On-site representative of the oil company funding operations. Final authority on well program decisions.
$150K–$300K
15+ yrs
ToolpusherRig Supervisor
Overall supervisor of rig contractor's operations. Manages all crews, tools, and equipment.
$90K–$180K
10–15 yrs
DrillerCrew Supervisor
Controls drilling from the console. Monitors WOB, RPM, torque, pump pressure. Supervises the crew.
$70K–$120K
5–8 yrs
DerrickmanSpecialist
Works the monkey board 90–100 ft up guiding pipe stands. Operates mud pumps and monitors pit volumes.
$55K–$90K
3–5 yrs
RoughneckRig Floor Crew
Makes up/breaks out pipe connections. Operates the catwalk. The backbone of drilling operations.
$45K–$70K
1–3 yrs
RoustaboutEntry Level
General labor: painting, cleaning, moving supplies, assisting crane operations. Entry point for most careers.
$38K–$55K
No exp required