ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Drilling Rig Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Nabors Industries Limited

ETX FIELD. DRILLER I

Tyler, TX · On-site

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

Oversee proper rig up and rig down, continual preventive maintenance and repair of the equipment used in the drilling operations along with ensuring continual cleaning and housekeeping in and about ...

Patterson-UTI

Rig Manager - Permian Basin

Midland, TX · On-site

Patterson-UTI Drilling The New Standard for Drilling Performance Drill safer, smarter and faster ... The Rig Manager is responsible for every aspect of daily rig operations and supervises all ...

Tata Consultancy Service Limited

PLC Engineers

Houston, TX · On-site

$100K - $110K/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 ...

EOG Resources, Inc.

Senior Drilling Engineer

Midland, TX · On-site

... rig operations & well site supervisors. Job Requirements The minimum educational requirement is a BS in Engineering with a preference for Petroleum Engineering, and a minimum of 3 years of drilling ...

Prophecy Technologies

PLC Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

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 ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX · On-site

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

NABORS

WTX - MOTORHAND I

Odessa, TX

... the drilling rig. The Motorhand works under the direction of the Rig Manager. Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries ...

Norton Energy Drilling

Floorhand

Lubbock, TX · On-site

Cleaning and performing maintenance work on the drilling rig * Assist in rigging down, moving and rigging up all parts of the rig * Miscellaneous tasks such as mixing mud, digging ditches and ...

Patterson-UTI

Driller - Permian Basin

Midland, TX · On-site

$23.50 - $32/hr

Oversee all drilling activities and monitor rig employees and third parties that are working on, entering or exiting rig floor * Performs the following functions from the Driller console: raising and ...

Patterson-UTI

Driller - Permian Basin

Midland, TX

$23.50 - $32/hr

Oversee all drilling activities and monitor rig employees and third parties that are working on, entering or exiting rig floor * Performs the following functions from the Driller console: raising and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDrilling Rig JobsDrilling Rig Jobs in Texas

Drilling Rig information

See Texas salary details

$13

$25

$40

How much do drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for drilling rig in Texas is $25.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.62 and $27.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do you get hired on an oil rig?

To get hired as a drilling rig worker, candidates typically need relevant experience, such as in construction or mechanical work, and often must complete safety training and certifications like H2S or BOSIET. Employers also look for physical fitness and the ability to work in challenging environments, with many positions requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Applying through staffing agencies or directly to oil companies and demonstrating a strong work ethic can improve chances of employment.

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 jobs pay $2000 a day?

Drilling rig jobs, such as senior drillers or specialized offshore drilling personnel, can pay around $2,000 or more per day due to the demanding environment, technical skills, and certifications required. These high-paying roles often involve extensive experience, safety training, and working in remote or offshore locations on long shifts.

How much do you get paid on oil rigs?

Drilling rig workers typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, role, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while specialized roles like drillers or supervisors can earn higher salaries, often supplemented with overtime and benefits.

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 is the highest paid oil rig job?

The highest paid oil rig jobs are typically senior drilling engineers, toolpushers, and rig managers, with salaries often exceeding $150,000 annually. These roles require extensive experience, specialized skills, and often involve working long shifts in challenging environments. Compensation can vary based on location, company, and level of expertise.

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.
More about Drilling Rig jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Drilling Rig jobs in Texas? The most popular types of Drilling Rig jobs in Texas are:
What are popular job titles related to Drilling Rig jobs in Texas? For Drilling Rig jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drilling Rig jobs in Texas look for? The top searched job categories for Drilling Rig jobs in Texas are:
What cities in Texas are hiring for Drilling Rig jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Drilling Rig job openings:
Drilling Rig jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drilling Rig job openings in Texas as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% As Needed, and 83% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $53,345 per year, or $25.6 per hour.
ETX FIELD. DRILLER I

ETX FIELD. DRILLER I

Nabors Industries Limited

Tyler, TX • On-site

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 14 hours ago

Nabors Industries rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 74 rated oil and gas companies

Job description


The Driller is responsible for ensuring that the work in and around the drill floor and BOP as well as the rig up and rig down procedures and the drilling operations occurs in a safe and effective manner thereby meeting and / or exceeding Nabors Drilling Company's and the contracting Company's goals and objective for safety, production and budget. The Driller works under the direction and supervision of the Rig Manager.
Responsibilities
  • Anticipate potential problems, pre plan and implement corrective action in a timely manner thereby helping to ensure outcomes reach company goals for the drilling operations Work with the Rig Manager to assist with post analysis reviews of critical actions and implement ongoing best practice activities for future operations.
  • Ensuring the safety of the drill crew and all support personnel working in and about the drill floor.
  • Oversee proper rig up and rig down, continual preventive maintenance and repair of the equipment used in the drilling operations along with ensuring continual cleaning and housekeeping in and about the drill floor.
  • Ensure drilling operations follow established plan.
  • Substitute for a Floorhand in the absence of a trained Floorhand Together with the Rig manager, continually train and develop employees working on the drilling rig so as to meet the employee's career goals while at the same time meeting the needs of the company.
  • Responsible for monitoring the progress of the drilling operation, determine when bits need to be changed while operating pumps, rotary table, draw-works and drill pipe.
  • Ability to operate rig utilizing rig controls while monitoring operation of various equipment (pump pressures, weight indicator, drill string weight, etc.)
  • Knowledge of Drilling rig equipment capacity and functionality including but not limited to Canrig Top Drives, accumulator units, draw works.
  • Adjust mud pumps to maintain the proper circulation rate.
  • Ability to perform basic math functions.

Essential Functions:
  • Attention span to stay alert and attentive for up to 12 hour tour.
  • Able to works 7 or 14 days on and 7 or 14 days off, including holidays, weekends and or days and nights.
  • Able to work well with others while working in a close environment for extended periods of time with minimal ability to leave the driller's cabin.
  • Make important judgment decisions that affect the safety of the crew.
  • Give verbal instructions clearly and concisely.
  • Advanced knowledge of the emergency shut-in procedures and be able to respond to any emergency efficiently and professionally
  • Able to stand or stand and walk throughout the tour while wearing steel toed boots.
  • Occasionally climb steep stairs and walking on steel decking as well as gravel, board roads and area that can be covered in drilling fluids, mud, snow and ice.
  • Must be able to repetitively climb stairs and ladders, work in an unprotected environment as well as be able to lift / carry and work with items weighing upwards of 35 lbs.
  • Assist the Rig Manager with trouble shooting and problem-solving duties and decisive manner.
  • Other duties as required by the Rig Manager.

Qualifications
  • Ability to perform essential functions of this position with or without reasonable Accommodations.
  • Previous rig experience as a Floorhand, Motorhand and/or Derrickhand for Nabors Drilling or 1 year experience as a Driller for another drilling company.
  • Strong knowledge of the Floorhand, Motorhand and Derrickhand positions.
  • Ability to wear respiratory protective devices.
  • Must have reliable transportation to and from the rig

Preferred Qualifications:
  • High school diploma, certificate or equivalent AC and/or SCR Rig experience
  • Completion of Certified Supervisory Well Control course that is unexpired
  • Experience using computer and multiple screens to monitor drilling activities

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.
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

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply