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Live In Offshore Drilling Rig Jobs in Petal, MS (NOW HIRING)

Live In Offshore Drilling Rig information

See Petal, MS salary details

$5

$46

$82

How much do live in offshore drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for live in offshore drilling rig in Petal, MS is $46.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.57 and $47.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a live in offshore drilling rig?

Live-in offshore drilling rig jobs involve working and residing on a drilling platform located at sea for extended periods, typically in rotating shifts such as two weeks on, two weeks off. Workers live on the rig, perform tasks related to drilling and maintaining equipment, and follow strict safety protocols. These jobs can include positions such as drillers, engineers, mechanics, cooks, and medics. The unique environment requires adaptability, teamwork, and the ability to handle challenging weather and isolation. Compensation is often higher than onshore roles due to the demanding conditions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a live in offshore drilling rig worker?

To thrive as a Live In Offshore Drilling Rig Worker, you need mechanical aptitude, physical fitness, safety awareness, and typically a high school diploma or relevant vocational training. Familiarity with drilling machinery, safety management systems, and certifications like BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training) are commonly required. Strong teamwork, stress tolerance, and effective communication are vital soft skills for adapting to long shifts and confined living conditions. These skills and qualifications ensure operational safety, efficiency, and cooperation in the challenging offshore environment.

What are the typical working and living conditions like for employees on a live in offshore drilling rig?

Employees on a live-in offshore drilling rig usually work in rotational shifts, such as 14 days on and 14 days off, and are provided with accommodations, meals, and recreational facilities on the rig. The environment is highly safety-focused, with strict protocols and regular drills. Teamwork is essential, as daily responsibilities often involve collaborating with engineers, technicians, and other crew members to maintain equipment and ensure smooth operations. While the work can be physically demanding and requires adapting to confined living spaces, strong camaraderie and clear communication contribute to a supportive work culture.

What is the difference between Live In Offshore Drilling Rig vs Offshore Roustabout?

AspectLive In Offshore Drilling RigOffshore Roustabout
CredentialsBasic safety certifications, such as BOSIET, H2S, and offshore survivalSimilar safety certifications, often including BOSIET and H2S
Work EnvironmentOnboard the drilling rig, living and working in a confined offshore settingOn offshore platforms or rigs, performing manual labor and equipment handling
Job RoleAssists with drilling operations, maintenance, and support tasksSupports rig operations by handling equipment, cleaning, and general labor

Both roles require safety certifications and involve offshore work, but the Live In Offshore Drilling Rig role focuses on supporting drilling operations from within the rig, often with longer shifts and living onboard, while the Offshore Roustabout performs manual labor and equipment handling on offshore platforms or rigs.

How much do people who work on live in offshore drilling rigs get paid?

Workers on live-in offshore drilling rigs, such as drillers and roustabouts, typically earn between $50,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, role, and certifications. Offshore rig jobs often include additional compensation for hazardous conditions, extended shifts, and living arrangements onboard the rig.

Is it easy to get a job on a live in offshore drilling rig?

Getting a job as a live-in offshore drilling rig worker can be competitive and typically requires relevant experience, certifications such as Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), and sometimes specialized skills like crane operation or welding. Employers often prefer candidates with a strong safety record and the ability to work long shifts in challenging environments, making the process somewhat challenging but achievable with proper qualifications.
Infographic showing various Live In Offshore Drilling Rig job openings in Petal, MS as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,039 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Staff Engineer (EIT) -- Hattiesburg, MS

Hattiesburg, MS • On-site

Construction Material Testing
Civil Engineering Construction • 201 - 500 employees

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New


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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