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Oil Rig Helper Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Oil Rig Helper information

See Illinois salary details

$10

$17

$22

How much do oil rig helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for oil rig helper in Illinois is $17.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $17.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges oil rig helpers face during their shifts, and how can they prepare for them?

Oil Rig Helpers often work long hours in physically demanding and sometimes harsh outdoor environments. Common challenges include adapting to rotating shifts, maintaining safety standards in potentially hazardous conditions, and performing repetitive manual labor. To prepare, candidates should focus on building physical stamina, learning about industry safety protocols, and developing teamwork skills, as close collaboration with crew members is essential for both efficiency and safety on the rig.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an oil rig helper?

To thrive as an Oil Rig Helper, you generally need physical stamina, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with basic hand and power tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safety certifications such as H2S awareness or first aid are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to follow safety protocols are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are important to ensure safe, efficient operations and to minimize risks in a demanding and hazardous environment.

What is an oil rig helper?

Oil Rig Helpers, also known as roustabouts or floorhands, are entry-level workers on oil rigs who assist with the maintenance, repair, and general operation of drilling equipment and facilities. Their tasks may include cleaning and preparing the rig, handling materials and supplies, assembling or repairing equipment, and supporting more experienced crew members. Oil Rig Helpers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of drilling operations and often work long shifts in challenging environments. This position is often a starting point for those wishing to advance in the oil and gas industry.

Is it hard to get hired at an oil rig helper?

Getting hired as an oil rig helper can be competitive, but entry-level positions are often available to those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Physical fitness, willingness to work long shifts, and basic safety training are important factors in the hiring process.

How do you get into working on an oil rig?

To become an oil rig helper, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, and the ability to work in challenging environments. Entry-level positions often require on-the-job training, and obtaining safety certifications such as OSHA or BOSIET can improve job prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Oil Rig jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Oil Rig jobs in Illinois are:

Infographic showing various Oil Rig Helper job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,683 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Manufacturing Technician - Testing (2nd shift)

Smiths Group

Morton Grove, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Company Description
John Crane, a business of Smiths Group, is a global leader in mission-critical flow control solutions for energy and process industries that enable efficient and sustainable operations. Our products include mechanical seals and systems, couplings, bearings, filtration systems, and predictive digital monitoring technologies.
We have a global network of more than 200 sites in over 50 countries and employ more than 6,000 people worldwide. We partner with our customers to help them keep their operations safe, reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and meet the latest environmental standards.
John Crane is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, helping to create a safer, more efficient, productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defence, space & aerospace, and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs approximately 16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries.
Job Description
The Manufacturing Test Technician supports the assembly, setup, and operation of dry gas seal test cells to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient testing activities. This role plays a key part in maintaining equipment readiness, supporting production flow, and upholding quality, safety, and continuous improvement standards within the manufacturing environment.
  • Update incoming seal's record.
  • Clean the seal components.
  • Maintain test cell sub-components data and storage location.
  • Perform all aspects of necessary duties (i.e., proper usage of hand and power tools etc.) required to assemble the dry gas seals safely into the test cell.
  • Maintain record of bearing usage.
  • Troubleshoot problems associated with seal assembly.
  • Installation of instrumentation on test cell and rig equipment.
  • Prepare, organize & maintain documentation as required for test cell assembly.
  • Maintain high productivity, as determined by the supervisor, in all aspects of the job.
  • Complete weekly 5S audits and actions.
  • Participate in Continuous Improvement activities within the area.
  • Train other technicians when required.
  • Participate in daily SPQCD meetings.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor / manager.

Qualifications
  • High school diploma required.
  • Minimum 2-3 years of experience in Oil & Gas or rotating equipment industry.
  • Ideally apprenticeship trained with relevant qualifications.
  • Ability to read technical drawings is essential.
  • The ideal background would be someone skilled in fine measurements.
  • Assembly /Test experience in Gas Seals would be an advantage.
  • Good IT Skills - MS office.
  • Good understanding of Continuous Improvement and associated tools
  • Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customer in both written and spoken English.
  • High level of drive and willingness to learn new skills.

Second Shift: 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Monday-Friday)
*Additional compensation provided for shift differential for hours worked on the second shift.
Additional Information
With colleagues stretching across the globe, we are proud of our diversity. To foster inclusivity, we run employee resource groups (ERGs) to provide a safe space for employees to connect and support each other. Our cross-business ERGs include Veterans, Pride Network, Black Employee Network, Women@Work Network, and Neurodiversity.
Across our company, we recognize excellence, culminating in the Smiths Excellence Awards, our annual celebration of the most extraordinary activities, people, and projects that best showcase our strengths and help drive our business forward. We announce these on our annual Smiths Day, a global celebration of Smiths around our network.
Join us for a great career with competitive compensation and benefits, while helping engineer a better future.
#ZR
We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.
At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation - including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career's website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)