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Land Rig Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

$17.50 - $19/hr

... local land management partners. Job Title: Conservation Crew Leader Location: This position is ... Responsible for leading rig-up and de-rig before and after a project. Serves as primary transport ...

$17.50 - $19/hr

... numerous state and local land management partners. Job Title: Conservation Crew Leader ... Responsible for leading rig-up and de-rig before and after a project. Serves as primary transport ...

It is nestled among native pines, located on National Forest land, and offers one-half mile of ... RV/trailer/rig or manufactured converted van may be required. Must be full contained Qualified ...

Land Rig information

See California salary details

$5

$45

$82

How much do land rig jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for land rig in California is $45.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.42 and $47.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Land Rig Jobs?

A land rig is a drilling rig used to drill holes onshore rather than offshore and requires a crew to function. The size and function of the rig determine the positions available, but typically there are six people in the crew: rig manager, derrickhand, leasehand, motorhand, driller, and floorhand. Your duties and responsibilities in any of these careers involve cleaning, maintaining, and operating the rig. Drills operate 24 hours a day, so multiple crew members rotate to fill 12-hour shifts. There are additional land rig positions, including truck drivers to transfer material to various locations, managers to oversee production, and oil and gas support staff.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Land Rig Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Land Rig Operator, you need a solid understanding of drilling operations, safety protocols, and mechanical systems, often supported by a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with drilling equipment, control panels, and safety certifications such as H2S or Well Control are typically required. Attention to detail, effective teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills are essential for maintaining operational efficiency, ensuring safety, and minimizing downtime on drilling sites.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working on a land rig, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals working on a land rig often encounter challenges such as harsh weather conditions, long shifts, and the need to maintain strict safety protocols at all times. Working in remote locations can also present difficulties related to communication and access to amenities. To address these challenges, it's important to prioritize teamwork, participate in regular safety training, and maintain open lines of communication with supervisors and crew members. Additionally, staying physically and mentally prepared helps ensure both personal well-being and operational efficiency.

What are land rigs?

Land rigs are drilling rigs specifically designed to operate onshore, as opposed to offshore drilling platforms. They are used to drill wells into the earth’s surface to extract oil, natural gas, or other subsurface resources. Land rigs come in various sizes and configurations depending on the depth and type of well being drilled. Their mobility and adaptability make them suitable for a range of drilling environments, from deserts to forests. Land rigs typically include all necessary equipment for drilling, including derricks, engines, blowout preventers, and drilling mud systems.

What is the difference between Land Rig vs Drilling Engineer?

AspectLand RigDrilling Engineer
Primary RoleOperates and maintains drilling equipment on land rigsDesigns and plans drilling operations, oversees drilling processes
Required CredentialsTechnical certifications, experience with rig equipmentEngineering degree, specialized drilling certifications
Work EnvironmentOn-site at drilling locations, field-basedOffice-based with site visits, technical planning
Industry UsageCommonly employed in onshore oil and gas drillingInvolved in planning and execution of drilling projects

While both roles are integral to drilling operations, a Land Rig operator focuses on operating and maintaining the drilling equipment on-site, whereas a Drilling Engineer is responsible for designing and managing the drilling process. The roles often collaborate closely but require different skill sets and certifications.

Infographic showing various Land Rig job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,615 per year, or $46 per hour.
Safety Specialist

$43.27/hr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Safety Specialist
Safety Management Systems, one of the largest providers of Health, Safety, Environmental, and Medical services to the Upstream, Midstream, Refinery and Petrochemical markets, is currently seeking Safety and Health Specialists for emergency response operations to join our team. Opportunities throughout the US will be available.
Job Summary: Recognize hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions and communicate and implement safety expectations and initiatives; monitor and stimulate execution with contractor's safety policy, rules, and procedures; and monitor conformance with project and site safety execution plans and implement improvements where appropriate.
Pay Rate: $43.27/hr
Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:
• Attend and document pre-shift safety meetings
• Perform and document stop -work actions as needed
• Recognize hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions
• Prepare reports for business unit and EHS regarding contractor performance
• Perform site observation and reviews and document corrective actions
• Organize hazard hunts, document resolution of found issues
• Perform presentation and training on site specific safety orientation
• Verify contractor compliance with written EHS program and regulatory reporting documents
• Monitor and report of contractor safety targets
• Perform a weekly "sampling" review of contractor's JSA's
• Participate in investigation and follow-up of incidents/accidents; prepare notifications/reports for
communication of significant incidents to company project/functional management per project incident
reporting procedures
• Communicate EHS expectations to contractors, third party contractors and rig personnel
• Review and document all Incidents and near misses, communicate these to the BU and EHS, assist in developing corrective actions as needed
Desired Skills & Experience
• Bachelor's degree Safety, Environmental, Industrial Engineering/ Technology or a related field is a plus
• Industry certifications are a plus (CHSO, OHST, ASP,CSP, Safe Land/IADC Rig Pass, First Aid/CPR,
OSHA 30 hour, LOTO, Confined Space, Hazcom)
• Minimum of 5-7 years in safety and health related environment
• Practical knowledge of methods and procedures applied by Industrial Hygienists and Environmental and Fire Prevention Engineers
• Familiar with EPP & SPCC
• Must be knowledgeable of regulatory requirements and experienced in EHS Mgmt systems
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and callouts
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
EOE, including Disability/VETS
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Acadian's Safety Management Systems (SMS) deploys registered paramedics specially trained as remote paramedics, HSE consultants, and on-site safety technicians, as well as offers an extensive array of regulatory and compliance training services.