1

Drilling Rig Jobs in West Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Driller

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$23.75 - $32.25/hr

Operate rig hoisting system from control panel; raises and lowers drilling tubulars using hoisting system * Accountable for direct supervision of three to five employees and indirect supervision of ...

Driller

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$23.75 - $32.25/hr

Operate rig hoisting system from control panel; raises and lowers drilling tubulars using hoisting system * Accountable for direct supervision of three to five employees and indirect supervision of ...

Assistant Driller

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$23.75 - $32.25/hr

Maintain the desired mud weight & properties and transfers of all drilling fluid * Will be accountable for the assisting the Driller in supervising the rig crew * The Assistant Driller will ...

Assistant Driller

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$23.75 - $32.25/hr

Maintain the desired mud weight & properties and transfers of all drilling fluid * Will be accountable for the assisting the Driller in supervising the rig crew * The Assistant Driller will ...

HDD Operator

Buckhannon, WV · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

Monitor drilling parameters including torque, thrust, rotation, and drilling fluid flow * Ensure bore path follows the designed profile and alignment Equipment & Jobsite Setup * Assist with drill rig ...

HDD Operator

Buckhannon, WV · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

Monitor drilling parameters including torque, thrust, rotation, and drilling fluid flow * Ensure bore path follows the designed profile and alignment Equipment & Jobsite Setup * Assist with drill rig ...

Well Test Operator

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$18.75 - $23.25/hr

Responsibilities · Understanding/awareness of condensate, wet gas, dry gas, NGL (natural gas liquids) facilities. · Rig up and operate plug catcher during completion CFP drill-out ops after frac ...

Conduct assigned activities on the rig floor * Assist the (Assistant Driller) Derrickman with mud-mixing duties * Perform emergency procedures * Ensures that work carried out is in compliance with ...

Motorman

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$25 - $29.75/hr

Performs general repairs and maintenance on major and minor rig components * Assist the Assistant Driller (Derrickman) with mud-mixing duties * Perform emergency procedures * Ensure that work carried ...

Conduct assigned activities on the rig floor * Assist the (Assistant Driller) Derrickman with mud-mixing duties * Perform emergency procedures * Ensures that work carried out is in compliance with ...

Motorman

Morgantown, WV · On-site

$25 - $29.75/hr

Performs general repairs and maintenance on major and minor rig components * Assist the Assistant Driller (Derrickman) with mud-mixing duties * Perform emergency procedures * Ensure that work carried ...

HDD Operator

Beckley, WV

$22 - $28.25/hr

Communicate effectively with field crews to coordinate drill entry/exit points, support functions, rig moves, and material handling * Adhere to all safety policies, traffic control procedures, and ...

HDD Operator

Beckley, WV · On-site

$22 - $28.25/hr

Communicate effectively with field crews to coordinate drill entry/exit points, support functions, rig moves, and material handling * Adhere to all safety policies, traffic control procedures, and ...

HDD Operator

Beckley, WV · On-site

$22 - $28.25/hr

Communicate effectively with field crews to coordinate drill entry/exit points, support functions, rig moves, and material handling * Adhere to all safety policies, traffic control procedures, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Drilling Rig information

See West Virginia salary details

$11

$21

$33

How much do drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for drilling rig in West Virginia is $21.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.12 and $23.27 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 West Virginia?

The most popular types of Drilling Rig jobs in West Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Drilling Rig jobs in West Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Drilling Rig jobs in West Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Drilling Rig job openings in West Virginia 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 $44,328 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

$23.75 - $32.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Our core values - Stewardship, Character, Collaborate, Learn, Disrupt - are the lens through which we evaluate every business decision. As a dynamic, growing company that offers extremely competitive compensation and benefits, our employees are our most valued assets and the foundation of Expands performance among our E&P competitors.

We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team. We realize that, historically, underrepresented groups feel the need to be 100% qualified in order to apply. If you meet any combination of our requirements, we encourage you to apply. We strive to hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger.

Job Summary

Expand Energy is searching for a Driller position for our field operations team located in one of the following:  Ohio, West Virginia, or Louisiana.  
The Driller operates and repairs drilling equipment and provides guidance to work crews. Provides guidance and training for work crew personnel regarding rigging up and rigging down, day-to-day operations and company policies and procedures.  You will lead operations to ensure compliance with safety guidelines and established procedures by your assigned rig crew. The Driller will report to the Rig Operations Superintendent.

Job Duties & Responsibilities
  • Operates and repairs drilling equipment and provides guidance to work crew
  • Provide guidance and training for work crew personnel regarding rigging up and rigging down
  • Provide guidance for day-to-day operations
  • Provide training for company policy and procedures
  • Lead operations to ensure compliance with safety guidelines and established procedures
  • Operate rig hoisting system from control panel; raises and lowers drilling tubulars using hoisting system
  • Accountable for direct supervision of three to five employees and indirect supervision of five to eight personnel
Job Specific Skills
  • Ability to work flexible work schedule, including long and/or irregular hours, weekends and holidays
  • Capable of working outdoors in all weather conditions: (hot, cold, dust, dirt, noise, etc.)
  • Working out-of-doors, where exposure to atmospheric conditions of extreme heat or cold, fumes, and gases are frequent.  Exposure to noise, vibration, high pressure, moving/mechanical parts, electrical shock, chemical and caustic materials is common in the normal performance of the duties associated with this position
  • The ability to push, lift, pull or carry equipment of up to 100 lbs
  • Physical ability to immediately respond to emergency situations
Education & Experience
  • High school diploma, GED, or the equivalent is preferred
  • Three (3) years prior experience in procedures associated with drilling a well
  • Minimum training requirements:  Health, Safety and Environment Orientation and Rig Specific Start Up Training, Well Control Certification, Supervisor Level, Drilling Only, and Horizontal and Extended Reach Drilling (HERDIT)
Additional Qualifications
  • A Clean driving record
  • Basic written and verbal communication skills.
  • To be on call 24 hours a day when needed
  • Required to pass all pre-employment requirements including a physical demands, vision, and drug-screening test along with a thorough background and driving record check

Expand Energy takes necessary action to ensure that all applicants are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Expand Energy Corporation's operations are focused on discovering and developing its large and geographically diverse resource base of unconventional oil and natural gas assets onshore in the United States.