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Drilling Rig Jobs in New Mexico (NOW HIRING)

Geologist 04192 NWSS

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Field duties will include Direct Push Technology, Hollow Stem Auger, and Roto-Sonic drilling rig oversight. * Office duties include data management and documentation organization. MINIMUM ...

Geologist 04192 NWSS

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Field duties will include Direct Push Technology, Hollow Stem Auger, and Roto-Sonic drilling rig oversight. * Office duties include data management and documentation organization. MINIMUM ...

Geologist 04192 NWSS

Los Alamos, NM · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Field duties will include Direct Push Technology, Hollow Stem Auger, and Roto-Sonic drilling rig oversight. * Office duties include data management and documentation organization. MINIMUM ...

Reverse Unit Operator I

Artesia, NM · On-site

$16.50 - $21.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Tracking and keeping up with pipe tally, drilling depths, and advise customer and rig crew with technical well expertise * Establish and maintain a positive work environment for the rig crew ...

Safety Tech

Artesia, NM · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Rig up and down safety equipment for drilling, workover, and frac operations. * Oversee and enforce confined space, hot work, and critical task permits. * Provide on-site rescue response and hazard ...

Safety Tech

Artesia, NM · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Rig up and down safety equipment for drilling, workover, and frac operations. * Oversee and enforce confined space, hot work, and critical task permits. * Provide on-site rescue response and hazard ...

CDL Driver

Las Cruces, NM · On-site

$18/hr

For Boom Crane CDL Driver positions - a Certified Drill Rig Operator-NCCCO Boom Certification preferred - maintain active accredited certification for equipment type (e.g. NCCCO, NCCER, CIC ...

Maintain rig board to allow visibility of current customer requirements by active rig, equipment ... Working knowledge of drilling/production and equipment * Intermediate Computer Skills

Showing results 21-40

Drilling Rig information

See New Mexico salary details

$14

$26

$41

How much do drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for drilling rig in New Mexico is $26.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.44 and $29.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drilling rig?

A drilling rig is a complex machine used to create holes in the ground, most commonly for the exploration and extraction of oil, natural gas, or water. These rigs can be massive structures used offshore or smaller, mobile units for land-based drilling. Drilling rigs are equipped with specialized equipment to drill, circulate drilling fluids, and handle extracted materials. The type of rig used depends on the location, depth, and purpose of the drilling operation.

What is the difference between Drilling Rig vs Drilling Operator?

AspectDrilling RigDrilling Operator
CredentialsCertifications in equipment operation, safety trainingSame certifications, plus operational training
Work EnvironmentOn-site at drilling locations, heavy machineryOn-site, operating drilling equipment
Industry UsageUsed to describe the equipment and infrastructureRefers to the personnel operating the equipment

The drilling rig is the large structure used to drill wells, while the drilling operator is the worker who operates the rig. Both roles require similar certifications and work in the same environment, but the rig refers to the equipment, and the operator refers to the personnel managing it.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working on a drilling rig, and how can they be managed?

Professionals working on a drilling rig often encounter challenges such as long shifts, physically demanding tasks, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. Teamwork is essential, as safety depends on clear communication and collaboration among crew members. Adapting quickly to changing situations and following strict safety protocols helps manage risks and ensures smooth operations. Regular training and support from experienced colleagues also play a key role in overcoming these challenges and fostering a safe, productive work environment.

What are drilling rig jobs?

Six positions on an oil rig crew run the operations of both onshore and offshore drilling rigs. As the rig manager, you are in charge of the company's interests. You oversee all personnel and operations and report program progress to your superiors. As a driller, you monitor drilling procedures and ensure that all other personnel follows safety and efficiency protocol. As a derrickhand, you maintain and repair the circulating system equipment. Your duties as a leasehand include setting up and taking down the drilling equipment and keeping an organized work environment. The floorhand's responsibilities include manipulating pipe sections and drill stems. Finally, as the motorhand, you operate the diesel and electric engines that keep the rig running.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drilling rig operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drilling Rig Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of drilling operations, and relevant certifications such as Well Control or IADC Rig Pass. Familiarity with drilling equipment, safety systems, and industry-standard software like drilling data acquisition systems is essential. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for safe and efficient operations. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure operational safety, minimize downtime, and maintain productivity in demanding environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Drilling Rig jobs in New Mexico? The most popular types of Drilling Rig jobs in New Mexico are:
What are popular job titles related to Drilling Rig jobs in New Mexico? For Drilling Rig jobs in New Mexico, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drilling Rig jobs in New Mexico look for? The top searched job categories for Drilling Rig jobs in New Mexico are:
What cities in New Mexico are hiring for Drilling Rig jobs? Cities in New Mexico with the most Drilling Rig job openings:
Infographic showing various Drilling Rig job openings in New Mexico as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,488 per year, or $26.7 per hour.

H2S Field Technician - Carlsbad, NM

Total Safety U.S., Inc.

Carlsbad, NM • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Total Safety rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 37 rated health and safety providers


Job description

Total Safety is looking for a H2S Technician to join their safety conscious team! The H2S Tech operates and maintains the Gas Detection Systems and Breathing Air Safety Equipment at a land or offshore based drilling rig or production platform where there is a potential for or an anticipated release.

About Total Safety

Total Safety is the world's premier provider of integrated safety and compliance services and the products necessary to support them, including gas detection, respiratory protection, safety training, fire protection, compliance and inspection, industrial hygiene, onsite emergency medical treatment/paramedics, communications systems, engineered systems design, and materials management. Our Core Values are People, Safety & Wellbeing, Accountability, Responsibility, Empowerment, Honesty, Transparency, and Integrity.

Essential Duties:

  • Assist in Rigging Gas Detection Systems
  • Assist in operation and maintenance gas detection systems and breathing air safety equipment
  • Calibrates gas detection
  • Complete daily, weekly and monthly checks on equipment
  • Fit testing of customer’s personnel
  • Inspect and service cooling & shower trailers
  • Must be able to work safely and follow all TS & Customer policies and procedures
  • Completes all Total Safety and Customer documentation associated with assigned tasks in a timely and accurate manner. This includes all inspection and repair documents, job cost billable expenses and time sheets.
  • Ensures that all Cascade Air Banks are charged and online. Ensures that all 5, 10 and/or 30 minutes SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) are functional and fully charged.
  • Ensures operability of both Electric & Diesel Air Compressors. Ensures that proper maintenance including air purification cartridge changes, oil changes and other filter changes have been performed and documented. Performs scheduled air quality checks.
  • Performs other functions and may cross-train as part of training and development.
  • Assist others in facility with inspection, cleaning, servicing, reassembling and testing shop equipment, SCBA’s, manifolds, regulators, hoses and other safety equipment.
  • May stock shelves with clean, tested and ready to use equipment and pull, stage, and load equipment for jobs.
  • Maintains work area and other areas in a clean and orderly condition.
  • Maintains ongoing effort to keep equipment clean and respiration masks sanitized.
  • Maintains running inventory of location and availability of safety equipment.
  • Performs basic maintenance and care of assigned vehicle and/or trailer.
  • Assist others as needed.

Skills and Experience:

  • 3 – 6 months’ H2S and/or Upstream experience.
  • Successfully complete H2S Academy Training to include but not limited to H2S Training, SAFE GULF or SAFE LAND.
  • First aid responder training preferred.
  • State and OSHA regulations training.
  • Customer Service skills training.
  • Trained to complete site inspections using SMART Inspections program.

Working Environment:

  • Shop, indoor and outdoor industrial environments.
  • May be frequently exposed to cold, hot, wet, humid, outside weather conditions and vibration.
  • Works in customer environment.
  • May be exposed to high pressure, chemicals, and traffic.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Educational Requirements:

High School diploma or GED

Total Safety and its subsidiaries afford equal opportunity in employment to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, pregnancy, familial status, disability status, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under Federal, State or Local law. Total Safety is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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