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Oil Field Helper Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Planted Solar

Field Robotics Technician

Oakland, CA

$35 - $45/hr

Come take ownership of large parts of our product, company, and business development as we help ... Background in construction, military, oil field, or comparable hands-on field environment

Planted Solar

Field Robotics Technician

Oakland, CA · On-site

$35 - $45/hr

Come take ownership of large parts of our product, company, and business development as we help ... Background in construction, military, oil field, or comparable hands-on field environment

Onterris

Environmental Field Technician

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$24/hr

Preparing field reports as required Your Expertise and Skills These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here. * Experience in Oil and Gas industry ...

Onterris

LDAR Field Technician

San Luis Obispo, CA

$26/hr

Preparing field reports as required Your Expertise and Skills These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here. * Experience in Oil and Gas industry ...

Onterris

LDAR Field Technician

Santa Maria, CA

$26/hr

Preparing field reports as required Your Expertise and Skills These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here. * Experience in Oil and Gas industry ...

Onterris

LDAR Field Technician

Lompoc, CA

$26/hr

Preparing field reports as required Your Expertise and Skills These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here. * Experience in Oil and Gas industry ...

Onterris

LDAR Field Technician

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$26/hr

Preparing field reports as required Your Expertise and Skills These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here. * Experience in Oil and Gas industry ...

Onterris

LDAR Field Technician

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$24/hr

Preparing field reports as required Your Expertise and Skills These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here. * Experience in Oil and Gas industry ...

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All JobsOil Field Helper JobsOil Field Helper Jobs in California

Oil Field Helper information

See California salary details

$10

$17

$23

How much do oil field helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for oil field helper in California is $17.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an oil field helper?

Oil Field Helpers assist skilled workers in oil and gas extraction operations, typically at drilling sites or oil rigs. Their duties include carrying tools and equipment, cleaning work areas, assembling and disassembling machinery, and performing basic maintenance. They also help monitor safety procedures and may be responsible for transporting materials around the site. Oil Field Helpers work in physically demanding and often hazardous environments, requiring attention to safety and the ability to work well as part of a team.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an oil field helper?

To thrive as an Oil Field Helper, you need physical stamina, basic mechanical skills, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with hand tools, safety equipment, and sometimes certifications like H2S awareness or OSHA training are typically required. Strong teamwork, communication, and a safety-focused attitude help individuals stand out in this physically demanding environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining safety, efficiency, and productivity in challenging oil field operations.

What are common challenges faced by oil field helpers and how can they be addressed?

Oil Field Helpers often face physically demanding tasks, exposure to harsh weather, and the need to work long or irregular hours, sometimes in remote locations. Adapting to these challenges involves maintaining good physical fitness, consistently following safety protocols, and being prepared for changing site conditions. Effective communication with team members and supervisors is essential for staying informed about daily tasks and safety updates, which helps prevent accidents and improves workflow. Supportive teamwork and a willingness to learn new skills can also make the role more manageable and rewarding.

What is the difference between Oil Field Helper vs Oil Rig Worker?

AspectOil Field HelperOil Rig Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; safety trainingHigh school diploma; specialized training or certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentAssist with general tasks on oil sites, often on the groundWork directly on rigs, including climbing and operating equipment
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed by oil companies for support rolesEmployed by oil companies or contractors, more specialized

Oil Field Helpers perform support tasks such as cleaning, assisting with equipment, and maintaining safety on oil sites. Oil Rig Workers have more technical responsibilities, including operating machinery and performing maintenance on rigs. While both roles are essential in the oil industry, Oil Field Helpers typically require less specialized training and work in more general support capacities compared to Oil Rig Workers.

How do you start working in the oil field?

To start working as an oil field helper, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and physical fitness for demanding work. Entry-level positions often require completing safety training and may involve on-the-job learning, with some companies offering apprenticeships or certifications in safety and equipment operation.

How much does an oil field helper make?

An oil field helper typically earns between $15 and $25 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $30,000 to $50,000. Wages can vary based on experience, location, and the complexity of the work environment, which often involves physical labor and safety training.

What are the most commonly searched types of Oil Field jobs in California?

The most popular types of Oil Field jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Oil Field Helper jobs in California?

For Oil Field Helper jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Oil Field Helper jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Oil Field Helper jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Oil Field Helper jobs?

Cities in California with the most Oil Field Helper job openings:

Oil Field Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Oil Field Helper job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,833 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Field Robotics Technician

Planted Solar

Oakland, CA

$35 - $45/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Field Robotics Technician
Oakland, CA Preferred - Remote Ok
Full-time - 80% Travel
Energy is the binding constraint on human progress. Solar and storage are the lowest cost sources of new generation, but the conventional project delivery model has not changed in 30 years and deployment cannot keep pace with demand.
Planted is the execution layer between a parcel of land and a powered facility. We digitize sites, optimize designs, and deploy robots to build the lowest cost and fastest new power systems at the speed of manufacturing.
We're expanding our team of ambitious, curious, and hands-on engineers and operators who want to accelerate that transition. Come take ownership of large parts of our product, company, and business development as we help power the world with 100% clean and abundant energy.
About The Role
The Field Robotics Technician is the boots-on-the-ground member of the Integration Engineering team, deploying to project sites to keep Planted's robot fleet running. You'll perform preventative and routine maintenance on Planted's installation robots, robotic mowers, pile load testing, site walks, and surveying. This is a travel-heavy role, you'll deploy as part of a two-person team for site safety and operational efficiency. When not in the field, you'll apply your trade to maintaining machines and facilities in Oakland. Your reliability in the field directly enables Planted to scale utility-scale solar deployment.
The hourly range for this full-time position is $35 - $45 plus stock options and benefits. The cost of travel, accommodations, and meals are compensated by Planted. Hourly rate includes travel time. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job-specific skills, education, and work location. The target experience for the position is 3-7+ years
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Preventative and routine field maintenance of Planted's robot fleet
  • Perform pile load testing, site walks, and surveying for structural and permitting process
  • Operate Planted robots in Oakland and at project sites
  • Diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical issues on-site with minimal supervision
  • Deploy as part of a two-person field team for safety and efficiency
  • Perform routine maintenance of machines and facilities in Oakland during non-travel periods
  • Complete field documentation and report issues back to engineering

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Background in construction, military, oil field, or comparable hands-on field environment
  • Mechanical and/or electrical troubleshooting and repair experience
  • Comfortable with sustained travel (~80%) and extended time on project sites
  • Able to work outdoors in variable conditions and physically demanding settings
  • Hands-on aptitude, strong ownership mentality, and resourcefulness
  • Valid driver's license; clean driving record
  • Forklift or heavy equipment certification a plus - training available
  • Preferably located in the San Francisco Bay Area

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with solar, robotics, heavy equipment, or industrial field service
  • Familiarity with hand tools, power tools, and basic fabrication
  • Comfort reading drawings, schematics, and maintenance documentation
  • OSHA 10/30 or other site-safety certification

*A note on qualifications: Many people only apply for jobs if they believe they can perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider equivalent combinations of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS
  • ~80% travel to project sites, often remote, with extended days
  • Frequent lifting, bending, standing, and work in outdoor/field conditions
  • Use of hand and power tools; work around heavy equipment and machinery

What We Offer
  • 11 paid company holidays and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Company-paid in-office lunches
  • Stock options
  • Medical, vision, dental, and other benefits
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits
  • 401(k)
  • A chance to have an empowered, meaningful, and early role in climate
This will be a great fit if:
  • You want to solve challenging problems
  • You are biased towards action and focus on the vital work that drives the most impact
  • You prioritize the physical and psychological safety of yourself and those around you
  • You are humble, embrace change, and deliver and receive candid feedback
  • You are optimistic about the future and can make tough decisions to help get there
  • You have high expectations and coach, develop, and make time to help others

Planted is an equal opportunity employer committed to growing inclusively, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, medical condition, age, or veteran status. However you identify, or whatever background you bring with you, please apply. We look forward to hearing from you.

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