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Drilling Rig Jobs in Albuquerque, NM (NOW HIRING)

Drilling Rig information

See Albuquerque, NM salary details

$14

$26

$41

How much do drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for drilling rig in Albuquerque, NM 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 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 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 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 the most commonly searched types of Drilling Rig jobs in Albuquerque, NM?

The most popular types of Drilling Rig jobs in Albuquerque, NM are:

What job categories do people searching Drilling Rig jobs in Albuquerque, NM look for?

The top searched job categories for Drilling Rig jobs in Albuquerque, NM are:

What cities near Albuquerque, NM are hiring for Drilling Rig jobs?

Cities near Albuquerque, NM with the most Drilling Rig job openings:

Infographic showing various Drilling Rig job openings in Albuquerque, NM as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,502 per year, or $26.7 per hour.

Staff Engineer (EIT) -- Rio Rancho, NM

Construction Material Testing

Rio Rancho, NM • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Posted 18 hours ago

Posted today


Job description

Staff engineers get the full exposure this industry can offer: geotechnical investigations, materials testing programs, forensic assignments, and report writing under the supervision of licensed professional engineers. You will see the ground truth behind design assumptions on projects from building pads to heavy industrial programs.

Responsibilities:
  • Plan and observe drilling and field testing programs;
  • Reduce and review laboratory data;
  • draft geotechnical and materials reports;
  • Support forensic investigations, coring programs, and distress evaluations;
  • Coordinate field crews and laboratory scheduling on assigned projects;
  • Progress toward PE licensure with mentorship and exam support.
Qualifications:
  • BS in Civil Engineering or related;
  • EIT certificate or exam scheduled;
  • Field-willing: real projects, real dirt, real weather;
  • Clear technical writing;
  • Interest in geotechnical, materials, or forensic practice.
What a week in this job looks like:

One week you are logging borings behind a drill rig and hand‑classifying samples; the next you are reducing consolidation data, drafting a geotechnical report, or standing on a distressed slab with a senior engineer working out why it moved. Staff engineers here rotate through geotechnical investigation, materials programs, and forensic assignments deliberately, because engineers who have touched all three make better calls for the rest of their careers. You will write constantly, and your writing will be edited hard by licensed engineers who care that a recommendation says exactly what the data supports, no more and no less. There is also the unglamorous middle of engineering that no classroom teaches: coordinating a drill crew and a landowner, chasing a utility locate, deciding whether a boring can shift ten feet without breaking the investigation. You will learn to make those calls, document them, and move.

Licensure, mentorship, and where this leads:

This role is built around your path to the PE. You work under licensed professional engineers who review your work and sign what you grow into, your experience record is structured with licensure in mind, and exam support is part of the deal. EIT certification in hand or an exam date scheduled is where we expect you to start. From licensure the paths open: project engineer on geotechnical programs, materials engineering and laboratory direction, or the forensic practice, where engineering judgment meets evidence and occasionally a courtroom.

Pay, schedule, and travel:

Salary runs $85,000 to $115,000 depending on experience and progress toward licensure. The schedule mixes office and field unevenly, drilling programs and big pours do not respect calendars, but field time is the point at this stage, not a burden. Texas-based engineers work from the Sugar Land hub across active programs; project deployments to major industrial sites are defined‑scope assignments with terms set before travel, and they are the fastest experience accumulator this industry offers.

Safety, quality, and the standards we work under:

You will work inside a documented quality system, on active construction sites and drill rigs, with the training, PPE, and pre-task discipline that implies. Report review is layered and real: data, analysis, and language all get checked before anything carries the company's name. You will also learn the professional side of caution early, what a recommendation commits, what a seal means, and why the engineers you respect say less and support it better.

How hiring works, and our commitment:

Expect a technical conversation with a licensed engineer, not a personality quiz, and a clear offer. The role requires field capability on construction sites and drilling operations, a valid driver's license, and pre-employment screening consistent with jobsite requirements. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider every applicant without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

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