1

Drill Rig Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

*Rig Equipment Support Technician

Houston, TX · On-site

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

Experience with drilling rig operations and equipment is required. The ability to gather information, diagnose problems, and resolve issues both proactively and reactively is the technician's primary ...

Hands-on experience with drilling rig equipment, automation systems, commissioning, deployment, or troubleshooting. * Basic understanding of Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix and familiarity ...

Driller/Exploration Team Member II

Conroe, TX · On-site

$19.75 - $26.75/hr

The employee will be expected to perform the following tasks: oOperate a geotechnical drill rig to advance shallow boreholes in soil. oOversee a 2-man drill crew in all tasks associated with drilling ...

Driller/Exploration Team Member II

Conroe, TX · On-site

$19.75 - $26.75/hr

The employee will be expected to perform the following tasks: o Operate a geotechnical drill rig to advance shallow boreholes in soil.o Oversee a 2-man drill crew in all tasks associated with ...

Control Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$77K - $99K/yr

Support the development and implementation of advanced control systems for land-based drilling rigs and drilling rig equipment, including participation in customer and vendor facing meetings, and ...

Provide leadership and direction to rig contractors and service providers to ensure work is ... Manage all drilling operations and wellsite logistics to ensure reliable and efficient execution of ...

Geotechnical Driller

Houston, TX

$22 - $29.75/hr

Responsible for drill rig transportation * Train and direct Driller Assistants, identify and coordinate daily work schedules at job site * Direct site inquiries from general public to the project ...

Showing results 21-40

Drill Rig information

See Houston, TX salary details

$11

$25

$46

How much do drill rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for drill rig in Houston, TX is $25.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.89 and $28.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drill rig?

A drill rig is a machine used to create holes in the ground, typically for the purposes of extracting natural resources such as oil, gas, or minerals, or for construction and engineering projects. Drill rigs come in various sizes and types, ranging from small, portable rigs to large, complex structures used for deep drilling operations. They can be operated on land or offshore and are an essential part of the drilling industry. The main components of a drill rig include the derrick or mast, drill string, power systems, and circulation systems. Proper operation and maintenance of drill rigs are critical for safety and efficiency on drilling sites.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drill rig operator?

To thrive as a Drill Rig Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, understanding of drilling techniques, and often a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional vocational training preferred. Familiarity with drilling machinery, safety protocols, and sometimes certifications such as OSHA or MSHA are typically required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient drilling operations and help prevent costly errors or accidents on site.

What are the typical challenges faced by a drill rig operator and how can they be managed effectively?

Drill rig operators often encounter challenges such as working in extreme weather conditions, managing equipment malfunctions, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. Effective communication with team members and regular preventive maintenance are crucial to minimize downtime and operational hazards. Operators also need to stay updated on the latest industry practices and safety standards to ensure efficient and safe drilling operations.

What is the difference between Drill Rig vs Drilling Operator?

AspectDrill RigDrilling Operator
Primary RoleEquipment used to perform drilling operationsOperates and maintains the drill rig during drilling
CredentialsTypically no specific certification; technical training requiredRequires certifications like Well Control or OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, oil & gas fields, mining locationsOn-site with drill rig, often in remote locations
Industry UsageUsed across oil & gas, mining, constructionCommonly employed in oil & gas, mineral exploration

The Drill Rig is the equipment used to perform drilling tasks, while the Drilling Operator is the skilled worker who operates and manages the drill rig during operations. Both roles are essential in drilling projects, with the rig serving as the tool and the operator as the skilled technician ensuring safe and efficient drilling.

How to get a job on a drill rig?

To get a job on a drill rig, candidates typically need relevant experience in construction, mining, or oil and gas industries, along with safety certifications such as OSHA or MSHA. Physical fitness, the ability to work in challenging environments, and familiarity with drilling equipment are also important. Applying through staffing agencies, job boards, or directly to companies operating drill rigs can help secure employment.

What are popular job titles related to Drill Rig jobs in Houston, TX?

For Drill Rig jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drill Rig jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Drill Rig jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Drill Rig jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Drill Rig job openings:

Infographic showing various Drill Rig job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,985 per year, or $24 per hour.

*Rig Equipment Support Technician

Nabors Industries Limited

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Nabors Industries rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 87 rated oil and gas companies


Job description


JOB SUMMARY
Rigline 24/7 Rig Equipment Support Technicians are Nabors front line technical support experts. Experience with drilling rig operations and equipment is required. The ability to gather information, diagnose problems, and resolve issues both proactively and reactively is the technician's primary task. The technician is expected to resolve routine issues and log all cases in a tracking system. Technicians will manage the issue from beginning to end, working with other departments, until resolution. This a rotational 12-hour shift position in the support center, 7 days on/7 days off.
Responsibilities
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assist internal and external customers with troubleshooting of Rig Equipment (Top Drive, Catwalk, Wrench, Drawworks, VFDs, Generators, Mud Pumps, BOP)
  • Expeditiously work to troubleshoot and resolve downtime events, acting as liaison between the field and internal departments until event resolution is achieved.
  • Understand rig network protocols and remote access rig systems to troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve issues.
  • Work to achieve remote resolution to minimize impact of failures and reduce customer downtime.
  • Relay dispatch request to District Operations Supervisors for issues that cannot be resolved via phone and/or email.
  • Gather and collect critical relative information pertaining to Rig Equipment failures in an effort to improve operation/maintenance processes and procedures.
  • Create cases in the case tracking system for all Rig Equipment issues.
  • Resolve problems by clarifying issues through researching and exploring solutions, and escalating unresolved problems while providing superior customer service.
  • Oversee proactive maintenance systems and notify customers of issues which could result in catastrophic equipment failure and unexpected downtime

TEAM INFO
Rigline 24/7 is comprised of highly skilled and technically trained personnel who understand our products and services. We support our capital rig equipment, technology solutions, and services. The team operates around the clock and supports our global customer base from Houston, Texas.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • 2+ years' experience in the drilling industry and knowledge of drilling operations and equipment
  • Preferred mechanical, hydraulic and electrical rig equipment skills.
  • A customer-first mindset, ensuring every decision is made in the best interest of the customer and company.
  • Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot problems and determine the proper steps to address issues.
  • Must have the ability to keep detailed logs while speaking with clients and analyzing issues.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS.
  • Read electrical and hydraulic schematics.
  • Read mechanical drawings and blueprints.
  • Understand fundamentals of electrical circuits.
  • Understand fundamentals of hydraulics.
  • Understand basic industrial programming languages.
  • Understand computers, networks, servers and communication components.
  • Ability to understand how multiple systems work together (integrated systems).
  • Ability to use test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscope, meggers, gauges.
  • Ability to work in the field as required, less than 10%.
  • Work rotational 12 hours shifts - weekends, days, nights, holidays possible.

Disaster Recovery:
In the event of an emergency, the employee holding this position is required to work in accordance with the Nabors Disaster Recovery Plan. During or immediately following an emergency, the employee will be notified to assist in the emergency response efforts and mobilize other staff members if needed.
About Us
Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible hydrocarbon production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.
About the Team
Equal Opportunity Employer
Nabors is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. To learn more about our Fair Employment practices, please refer to the Nabors Code of Conduct.

What Nabors Industries employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom