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Hourly Mud Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Patterson-UTI

Derrickhand - Lower Rockies

Fruita, CO · On-site

$32.50/hr

Quickly follow instructions from Mud Engineer and Driller to ensure operational mud systems ... This role is classified as Hourly * The role is eligible to receive per diem * At Patterson-UTI, we ...

Patterson-UTI

Derrickhand - Lower Rockies

Fruita, CO

$32.50/hr

Quickly follow instructions from Mud Engineer and Driller to ensure operational mud systems ... This role is classified as Hourly * The role is eligible to receive per diem * At Patterson-UTI, we ...

Sterling Engineering Inc.

Painter

Muncie, IN · On-site

$22/hr

Sterling Engineering/Staffing is seeking an Industrial Painter for one of our clients in the ... Monday - Thursday, 7:30 PM - 6:00 AM Hourly Rate: $22/hr Benefits: Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays ...

AES Drilling Fluids LLC

Plant Operator

West Decatur, PA · On-site

$23/hr

Hourly starting pay $23.00 plus overtime + quarterly + year-end bonuses. Fantastic benefits ... Performs mud checks to ensure product accuracy before dispatching loads. * Checks and rolls storage ...

New

AES Drilling Fluids LLC

Plant Operator

West Decatur, PA · On-site

$23/hr

Hourly starting pay $23.00 plus overtime + quarterly + year-end bonuses. Fantastic benefits ... Performs mud checks to ensure product accuracy before dispatching loads. * Checks and rolls storage ...

AES Drilling Fluids LLC

Plant Operator

West Decatur, PA · On-site

$23/hr

Hourly starting pay $23.00 plus overtime + quarterly + year-end bonuses. Fantastic benefits ... Performs mud checks to ensure product accuracy before dispatching loads. * Checks and rolls storage ...

AES Drilling Fluids LLC

Dispatcher

Kermit, TX

$27.50/hr

They work days for a month and then rotate to overnights the next month. hourly starting pay $27.50 ... Dispatch serves as primary contact for drilling fluids engineers to place orders for chemicals, mud ...

AES Drilling Fluids LLC

Dispatcher

Kermit, TX · On-site

$27.50/hr

They work days for a month and then rotate to overnights the next month. hourly starting pay $27.50 ... Dispatch serves as primary contact for drilling fluids engineers to place orders for chemicals, mud ...

AES Drilling Fluids LLC

Dispatcher

Kermit, TX · On-site

$27.50/hr

They work days for a month and then rotate to overnights the next month. hourly starting pay $27.50 ... Dispatch serves as primary contact for drilling fluids engineers to place orders for chemicals, mud ...

WhiteHat Talent Solutions, LLC

Geologist

Columbus, OH · Hybrid

$24 - $28/hr

Coordinate with drillers, engineers, and project managers regarding site conditions * Assist with ... Exposure to weather, dust, mud, noise, and active construction environments * Collaborative, team ...

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Hourly Mud Engineering information

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$83.5K

$115.8K

$122K

How much do hourly mud engineering jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for hourly mud engineering in the United States is $115,787.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $121,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Hourly Mud Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Hourly Mud Engineer, you need a solid background in chemistry, geology, and drilling fluid technology, often supported by a relevant degree or industry training. Familiarity with mud logging equipment, drilling fluid testing kits, and specialized software like mud reporting systems is critical. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you respond quickly to drilling challenges and collaborate with rig teams. These skills are vital for maintaining wellbore stability, optimizing drilling efficiency, and ensuring the safety and success of drilling operations.

What are some common challenges faced by Hourly Mud Engineers on drilling sites, and how can they be addressed?

Hourly Mud Engineers often encounter challenges such as adjusting mud properties in response to changing downhole conditions, managing communication between drilling crews and the office, and working in remote or harsh environments. To address these, it's important to stay proactive with regular mud testing, maintain clear documentation, and build strong working relationships with both on-site and off-site team members. Additionally, being adaptable and continuously updating your technical knowledge helps you respond effectively to unexpected situations, ensuring that drilling operations run smoothly and safely.

What is hourly mud engineering?

Hourly mud engineering refers to the practice of hiring a mud engineer on an hourly basis to manage and optimize drilling fluids (or 'mud') used in oil and gas drilling operations. Mud engineers are responsible for ensuring that the drilling fluids meet specific properties to support safe and efficient drilling. Their tasks include monitoring mud weight, viscosity, and chemical composition to prevent well problems and minimize environmental impact. This flexible, hourly arrangement allows oil and gas companies to access expert mud engineering services as needed, which can be more cost-effective than full-time staffing.

What is the difference between Hourly Mud Engineering vs Mud Logging Technician?

AspectHourly Mud EngineeringMud Logging Technician
CredentialsRelevant certifications, technical trainingTraining in geology, mud logging equipment
Work EnvironmentDrilling sites, oil rigsDrilling sites, oil rigs
Industry UsageCommonly employed in drilling operationsSupports drilling with geological data
Job FocusManaging drilling mud properties and functionsAnalyzing cuttings and geological data

Hourly Mud Engineers and Mud Logging Technicians both work on drilling sites and require specialized training. While Mud Engineers focus on maintaining drilling mud systems, Mud Logging Technicians analyze geological data from cuttings. Both roles are essential in drilling operations and often work side by side on oil rigs.

More about Hourly Mud Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Hourly Mud Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Hourly Mud Engineering job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Mud Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Mud Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Hourly Mud Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Hourly Mud Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hourly Mud Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hourly Mud Engineering jobs are:
Hourly Mud Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hourly Mud Engineering job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 40% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,787 per year, or $55.7 per hour.
Derrickhand - Lower Rockies

Derrickhand - Lower Rockies

Patterson-UTI

Fruita, CO • On-site

$32.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Patterson-UTI rating

4.4

Company rating: 4.4 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

71st of 74 rated oil and gas companies

Job description

Job Description
Detailed Description:
  • Stand or stand and walk for a minimum of 3.5 hours and up to 12 hours without being able to sit and while wearing steel-toed boots
  • Frequently climb steep stairs
  • Frequently climb ladders and work while wearing a harness on an elevated platform
  • Independently use heavy-duty handheld and long-handled tools
  • Utilize proper hand signals when working on the board to communicate with others
  • Work independently while staying on task for the majority of the tour work shift
  • Demonstrate clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English as well as understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English
  • Take initiative and work independently during downtime
  • Frequently measure mud weight and viscosity using a scale and timer
  • Regularly maintain and inspect mud systems (mud levels, pumps, shakers, and tanks)
  • Regularly check rig and equipment for problems and safety issues on an ongoing basis
  • Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment above the rig floor and all equipment associated with the drilling fluid system
  • General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning, painting, washing of equipment and related housekeeping duties
  • Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times which could include but is not limited to: hard hat, safety glasses, coveralls, work gloves, respirator, and hearing protection
  • Inspect the following items in the derrick every tour: all hanging sheaves for wear and grease; all lights on derrick; boom and boom lines; derrick climbing device and derrick ladder; and the standpipe and Kelly hose
  • Work in a heavy industrial environment which includes working around constantly moving overhead machinery, being in close proximity to loud equipment and handling potentially hazardous chemicals
  • Performs daily inspections of the following: crown block (sheaves and cables); proper working order of the shale shaker (grease bearings, check or loose bolts and replace screens as required); mud agitators; mud mixing equipment; and mud pumps
  • Quickly follow instructions from Mud Engineer and Driller to ensure operational mud systems
  • Handle and mix hazardous chemicals into the mud as directed by Mud Engineer, while properly using required Personal Protective Equipment
  • Prepare stands and steady and guide pipe into and out of elevators during drilling activities
  • Ensure correct mud pit valves are open / closed
  • Monitor Floorhands who are assisting in the pits or with chemical sacks
  • General upkeep and housekeeping of mud pit area
  • Assist with rig up / down procedures
  • Support other crew members as needed, ensure compliance with safety procedures, and other additional tasks as assigned
  • Other duties as assigned that may be outside of this job description

Job Requirements:
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully complete all duties of a Floorhand and Motorhand
  • Must be comfortable working at heights (50 ft. or greater) for extended periods of time
  • Able to repetitively climb steep stairs and be able to lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces
  • Ability to frequently climb ladders and work while wearing a harness on an elevated platform.
  • Demonstrate clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English
  • Understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English; along with the ability to provide clear and understandable verbal, non-verbal and written direction to others in English.
  • Bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and crawl throughout the tour work shift
  • Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of surroundings, work with moving pipe, watch and report ongoing work activities to coworkers and third parties
  • Accurate recall over short and long-term memory
  • Able to stay alert and focused up to 12.5 hours while performing repetitive and routine activities
  • Maintain spatial orientation and awareness to safely move around work environment with many moving objects
  • Willing to travel to and work in remote locations on a rotational schedule which consists of 14 days on / 14 days off, working 12.5 hour shifts that can include days or nights and as well as weekends and holidays
  • Willing to work mandatory and unscheduled hours outside of your assigned schedule with little or no advanced notice
  • Must be willing and able to attend and successfully complete classroom training and testing to qualify for a rig assignment
  • Able to successfully meet pre-employment testing requirements which may include, without limitation, pre-employment drug and alcohol test(s) and background checks as well as drug and/or alcohol testing periodically during employment (subject to state and federal laws)
  • Rate of Pay: Starting at $32.50/hr.
  • This role is classified as Hourly
  • The role is eligible to receive per diem
  • At Patterson-UTI, we are committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package to you and your family. Employees are eligible to participate in the following benefits based on timely election and any associated premium payments: Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account with the appropriate Medical Plan, Life Insurance, AD&D and Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Assistance Program. In addition, this role may be eligible for Paid Time Off as per Company policy
  • The wage and benefits information provided herein are accurate as of the date of posting. All terms and conditions of employment are subject to change at any time, without notice, subject to applicable law.

Certification
  • Forklift Certification or willingness to complete Forklift Certification training within 60 days

Minimum Qualifications
  • Six (6) months of experience as a Derrickhand on a drilling rig
  • Twelve (12) months of stable related work history
  • Must be comfortable working at heights (50ft. or greater)

Preferred Qualifications
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Valid Well Control Certification, IADC WellSHARP
  • Previous experience as a Motorhand on a drilling rig

Additional Details
This position requires the person to work outdoors for an entire tour work shift in all kinds of weather conditions, including precipitation, cold / heat, high wind, and turbulent conditions. They will be exposed to the typical conditions of the local area where the rig is located. Southern states generally experience hot summers where temperatures range from 80° to low 100° with high humidity; winters have temperatures that generally do not go below 20°. Northern states generally have hot summers with similar conditions and have cold, windy winters, with low temperatures that can be as cold as -40°.
Rate of Pay: Starting at $32.50/hr.
This role is classified as Hourly
The role is eligible to receive per diem
At Patterson-UTI, we are committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package to you and your family. Employees are eligible to participate in the following benefits based on timely election and any associated premium payments: Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account with the appropriate Medical Plan, Life Insurance, AD&D and Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Assistance Program. In addition, this role may be eligible for Paid Time Off as per Company policy
The wage and benefits information provided herein are accurate as of the date of posting. All terms and conditions of employment are subject to change at any time, without notice, subject to applicable law.

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