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Drilling Rig Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Patterson-UTI

Drilling Advisor

Houston, TX

Work with drillers, rig managers, directional drillers, and/or operator real-time centers to maximize drilling performance on Patterson rigs. * Visit rig sites and work directly with drillers and/or ...

Patterson-UTI

Drilling Advisor

Houston, TX · On-site

Work with drillers, rig managers, directional drillers, and/or operator real-time centers to maximize drilling performance on Patterson rigs. * Visit rig sites and work directly with drillers and/or ...

NABORS

AUTOMATION ENGINEER II

Houston, TX

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

New

StaffMode

Rig Up Hand / Yard Hand

Houston, TX · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Disassemble and Reassemble drilling rig components * Attend pre/post-tour meetings * Inspect fabricated units for accuracy * Sort, stack, and inventory materials * Use air/hand tools (ratchets ...

New

StaffMode

Rig Up Hand / Yard Hand

Houston, TX

$20 - $22/hr

Disassemble and Reassemble drilling rig components * Attend pre/post-tour meetings * Inspect fabricated units for accuracy * Sort, stack, and inventory materials * Use air/hand tools (ratchets ...

New

PROLIM Global Corporation

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 ...

Tata Consultancy Service Limited

PLC Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 · 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 · 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 ...

ensignenergy

USS - PLC Technician

Houston, TX

$30 - $37.25/hr

The successful candidate will be required to travel to Ensign's field offices, rig construction facilities and drilling rigs working in the field. Internals Relationships The position will work ...

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All JobsDrilling Rig JobsDrilling Rig Jobs in Houston, TX

Drilling Rig information

See Houston, TX salary details

$14

$26

$41

How much do drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for drilling rig in Houston, TX is $26.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.11 and $28.70 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.
More about Drilling Rig jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Drilling Rig jobs in Houston, TX?

The most popular types of Drilling Rig jobs in Houston, TX are:

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

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

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

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

Drilling Rig jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drilling Rig job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,680 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Drilling Advisor

Patterson-UTI

Houston, TX

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Patterson-UTI rating

5.0

Company rating: 5.0 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 86 rated oil and gas companies

Job description

Detailed Description:

  • Work with drillers, rig managers, directional drillers, and/or operator real-time centers to maximize drilling performance on Patterson rigs.

  • Visit rig sites and work directly with drillers and/or directional drillers to coach on company's/operator's standard practices and technology utilization.

  • Communicate learnings from the field back into the organization.

  • Document performance improvements (using EDR data, rig sensor data, third party data).

  • Work with operations personnel to identify areas for performance improvement

  • Coach and train drillers on rig control systems and performance opportunities

  • This job will be a rotational based job

Job Requirements:

  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and working on multiple projects simultaneously to meet challenging deadlines.

  • Demonstrate clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to promptly give and follow directions when working with others.

  • Excellent soft skills to get buy-in from operations and customers.

  • Ability to safely navigate drilling rig work sites including regular walking, climbing, standing, stepping, etc. during various weather conditions (day/night, outdoor hot/cold weather).

  • Ability to proficiently use MS Office Suite to develop presentations, correspondence, reports, and schedules (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

  • Physical ability to:

  • Lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces

  • Bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and crawl occasionally during visits to the field and operational work areas.

  • Listen for unusual noises that signify equipment and or machinery problems.

  • Stay alert and focused including during occasional extended work periods.

  • Maintain spatial orientation and awareness to safely move around the work environment with many moving objects including overhead machinery.

  • Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times.

  • Ability to regularly travel as needed to visit worksites and support business units; may require extended travel to remote locations and/or overnight stay(s) outside normal office area.

  • Ability to work on weekends and be on call after hours as needed.

  • Travel to districts to working with operations personnel.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or GED

  • 5+ years' experience in the drilling industry

  • 2+ years in the field as a driller and/or directional driller

  • Working knowledge of multiple basins within US Land Shale Plays

  • Eligible to drive Company or personal vehicle for Company purposes including ability to meet requirements of Company's Vehicle Use Agreement and Driving Policy.

Additional Details:

This position requires the person to be able to work in a time sensitive, high visibility role and regularly travel as needed to support business units and to visit work sites. The Drilling Advisor will be required to travel to and work in remote locations and/or overnight stay(s) during variable hours. Variable work hours include hours worked on the weekend, on holidays, and hours travelling within and outside of the assigned region. The Drilling Advisor must work with an emphasis on planning, multitasking, and prioritization to maximize efficiency of the team. Must be able to work closely with others and manage customer interaction in a professional manner. Ability to safely navigate work sites with occasional walking, climbing, standing, stepping, working at heights, etc., during normal operating conditions (day/night, outdoor hot/cold weather) and while utilizing designated personal protective equipment (PPE).

What Patterson-UTI employees say

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