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Offshore Drilling Rig Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Noble Corporation

Partner with Rig HR teams to implement standardized HR policies and procedures. Support onboarding ... N/A About Noble Drilling Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor. We own and operate one of ...

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Offshore Drilling Rig information

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$5

$46

$83

How much do offshore drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for offshore drilling rig in the United States is $46.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.86 and $48.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an offshore drilling rig?

Offshore drilling rigs are large structures used to drill wells into the seabed to explore for and extract oil and natural gas from beneath the ocean floor. These rigs can be fixed platforms, floating structures, or mobile units, depending on the water depth and project needs. Offshore drilling is a complex and highly regulated process that requires advanced technology and skilled professionals to operate safely. The rigs are equipped with living quarters, drilling equipment, and safety systems to support extended operations at sea.

What does an offshore drilling rig worker do?

Offshore drilling rig jobs involve working on a crew to operate, maintain, or provide support operations on an oil and gas platform. Entry-level laborers, called roustabouts, clean and perform unskilled labor on an oil rig. Roughnecks are more-experienced deck-hands. These crew members work under a toolpusher (rig manager). In this management role, your duties focus on overseeing rig operations. Drillers operate the drill, while a mud logger examines the material from the hole for evidence of oil or gas. Technicians, such as welders and electricians, have responsibilities related to the maintenance, repair, and safe operation of equipment on the rig.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work on an offshore drilling rig?

To thrive as an Offshore Drilling Rig Worker, you need strong mechanical aptitude, physical stamina, safety awareness, and typically a high school diploma or relevant vocational training. Familiarity with drilling equipment, safety systems, and certifications like Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) are commonly required. Teamwork, problem-solving, and the ability to work under pressure are crucial soft skills in this high-risk environment. These competencies are vital to ensure operational efficiency, minimize accidents, and maintain safety standards on the rig.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working on an offshore drilling rig, and how are they addressed?

Professionals on offshore drilling rigs often face challenges such as extended periods away from home, working in harsh weather conditions, and maintaining safety in a high-risk environment. To address these challenges, rigs usually operate on a rotational schedule (e.g., two weeks on, two weeks off), invest heavily in safety training, and foster a team-oriented culture to support crew well-being. Rig workers also have access to amenities onboard and regular communication with onshore support teams to help manage both professional and personal challenges.

What is the difference between Offshore Drilling Rig vs Offshore Drilling Engineer?

AspectOffshore Drilling RigOffshore Drilling Engineer
Primary RoleProvides the platform and equipment for drilling operations at seaPlans, designs, and supervises drilling projects on offshore rigs
Required CredentialsBasic certifications in safety and equipment operationEngineering degree, specialized drilling certifications
Work EnvironmentOnboard the rig, physically involved in operationsOffshore/office setting, overseeing drilling activities
Industry UsageOperational platform for drillingTechnical role supporting drilling operations

While offshore drilling rigs are the physical platforms used for drilling at sea, offshore drilling engineers are the professionals who plan, design, and oversee these drilling operations. Both roles are essential in offshore oil and gas extraction, but they differ in responsibilities, credentials, and work environment.

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Offshore Drilling Rig jobs near you
Infographic showing various Offshore Drilling Rig job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,884 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

Drilling & Completions Engineer

The Woodlands, TX • On-site

Arena Offshore
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Arena Offshoreexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develop drilling, completions, and abandonment procedures for offshore shelf wells in compliance with policies, standards, and regulations.

  • Supervise drilling projects, rig workovers, well completions, coil tubing operations, and plug and abandonment activities, including planning, scheduling, and reporting.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and facilitate learnings from reviews to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.

Job description

Description:

Position Summary:

The Drilling & Completions Engineer reports to the Drilling Manager and works closely with suppliers and the drilling and completions organization to support a broad range of activities, including offset research, well design, and completion design. This role is responsible for identifying optimization opportunities and performing the engineering analysis needed to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations. The position requires an experienced professional who can effectively manage a fast-paced and demanding workload.


Roles & Responsibilities

  • Develop timely and accurate drilling, completions, and abandonment procedures for offshore shelf wells in compliance with applicable policies, standards, processes, and regulatory requirements.
  • Incorporate input from reservoir, geology, production, and construction teams to prepare drilling and completion well designs.
  • Supervision of      drilling projects, major rig workovers, new well completions, coil tubing  operations, and snubbing unit workovers, to include: 
    • Planning and  scheduling
    • Cost  estimation and budgeting
    • Procurement  and permitting
    • Reporting and performance tracking
  • Supervision of plug and abandonment (P&A) operations utilizing rigs, coil tubing units, or snubbing units.
  • Deliver activity plans and performance objectives while driving continuous improvement across assigned operations.
  • Facilitate learnings from Post Well Reviews, After Action Reviews (AARs), and End-of-Well Reviews with input from offshore operations, production engineering, and subsurface teams.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships across cross-functional teams, including Drilling & Completions, Production Engineering, and Subsurface.
  • Collaborate with other drilling and completions engineers to share best practices and lessons learned across the organization.
  • Foster personal development by conducting occasional field visits to oversee execution of assigned well programs.
  • Assist management with planning, forecasting, and decision-making activities.
  • Attend industry technical meetings and engage with regulatory agencies regarding proposed rules and regulatory changes.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies that have the potential to improve productivity,  reduce costs, and enhance safety performance.
  • Participate in  wells operations calls and planning discussions.
  • Directly supervise six onsite rig supervisors.
Requirements:

Essential Education, Experience & Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or a related field (or equivalent international degree).
  • Minimum of 10  years of offshore drilling and completions experience for oil and gas operations.
  • Proven track record in drilling and completions operations, including wellsite experience.
  • Strong design and planning capabilities.
  • Demonstrated commitment to HSE excellence.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
  • Proficiency in  Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Required Technical Experience

  • 10 years of relevant drilling and completions operations experience.
  • 3  to 5 years of Deepwater or Shelf Gulf of America (GOA) onsite field experience in drilling, completion, workover, intervention, and P&A operations, to include:

Drilling

  • 3  to 5 years of experience with exploratory and/or development drilling programs in the Gulf of America.

Completions

  • 3  to 5 years of experience developing and/or implementing completion programs.

Regulatory Experience

  • 3 to 5 years of experience working with government regulations applicable to exploration,  development drilling, completion, workover, intervention, and P&A  operations in the Gulf of America.
  • Minimum of 2  years of experience with CFR Part 250 compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated ability to achieve high-performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, resilience, and adaptability.
  • Growth mindset with a continuous focus on innovation, process improvement, and operational excellence.