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Oilfield Rig Jobs in Virginia Beach, VA (NOW HIRING)

Oilfield Rig information

See Virginia Beach, VA salary details

$10

$22

$42

How much do oilfield rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for oilfield rig in Virginia Beach, VA is $22.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.35 and $21.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an oilfield rig?

Oilfield rigs are large, complex machines used to drill wells into the earth to extract oil and natural gas. These rigs can be located on land or offshore and are equipped with specialized equipment for drilling, pumping, and managing well operations. Oilfield rigs play a critical role in the exploration and production phase of the oil and gas industry, providing the infrastructure needed to reach and produce hydrocarbons from deep underground. The crew working on these rigs includes drillers, roughnecks, engineers, and other specialists, all working together to ensure safe and efficient operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an oilfield rig worker?

To thrive as an Oilfield Rig Worker, you need physical stamina, mechanical aptitude, and a solid understanding of safety procedures, often supported by a high school diploma and specialized safety training. Experience with drilling equipment, hydraulic systems, and certifications such as H2S Alive or Well Control are commonly required. Strong teamwork, problem-solving skills, and effective communication set outstanding workers apart. These competencies are crucial for ensuring operational efficiency, maintaining safety standards, and minimizing risks in demanding and hazardous environments.

What are some common challenges faced by oilfield rig workers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Oilfield Rig workers often encounter challenges such as extreme weather conditions, physically demanding tasks, and extended periods away from home. Effective management includes adhering strictly to safety protocols, participating in regular training programs, and maintaining strong communication with team members. Building physical endurance and resilience, as well as fostering a supportive team environment, are key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring both personal safety and job satisfaction.

What is the difference between Oilfield Rig vs Oilfield Derrickhand?

AspectOilfield RigOilfield Derrickhand
Primary RoleEquipment setup, operation, and maintenance of drilling rigsAssists in the operation and maintenance of the drilling derrick and hoisting equipment
Required CertificationsBasic safety training, possibly CDL or specialized rig certificationsSafety training, basic rig operation certifications
Work EnvironmentOn-site at drilling locations, often outdoors in remote areasOn-site in the derrick area, working at heights and with heavy machinery
Industry UsageCommonly referenced in drilling operations and rig setupSpecific to derrick operations and hoisting tasks within drilling crews

In summary, an Oilfield Rig refers to the entire drilling equipment setup and operation, while an Oilfield Derrickhand specializes in working within the derrick, assisting with hoisting and equipment handling. Both roles are essential in drilling operations and share similar safety and technical certifications.

How do I get hired on an oilfield rig?

To get hired on an oilfield rig, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant safety certifications such as H2S and OSHA, and physical fitness. Experience in manual labor or previous work in the oil and gas industry can improve chances, and applying through company websites or staffing agencies is common.

What job categories do people searching Oilfield Rig jobs in Virginia Beach, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Oilfield Rig jobs in Virginia Beach, VA are:

Infographic showing various Oilfield Rig job openings in Virginia Beach, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,677 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Safety, Performance and Leadership Coach

CAVU International

Virginia Beach, VA

Contractor

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Purpose and Scope


The Safety, Performance and Leadership Coach position (hereafter simply referred to as Coach) at CAVU International plays the key role in delivering our clients the world's best consulting services for high- hazard work environments where the consequences of human failure are unacceptable. The Coach is embedded on site with the client's crew to deliver the coaching and mentoring necessary to improve team behaviors and organizational culture. He/she uses the client's tools and programs to define their "Perfect Day" and focuses their team on these targets based on their organization's strengths and opportunities for improvement. The Coach then develops a deliberate approach to making the perfect day repeatable throughout their organization.


In the execution of his/her roles and responsibilities, the Coach routinely serves as the face of the Company on "hitch" (work period/event of various durations at a specific client on/off-shore rig or facility) with the customer - often with little to no supervision. As such, the position requires an extremely self- motivated individual who is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to perform the mission with excellence even in the face of long hours and austere environments.


Duties and Responsibilities


  • Assess client culture, processes, team behaviors and leadership in order to identify areas of opportunity for coaching/training focus points.
  • Provide tailored Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Continuous Improvement training in accordance with the specific client requirements and constraints.
  • Provide safety, hazard identification and risk management training.
  • Facilitate shore-based crew/leadership training and planning events, meetings, workshops and team building exercises.
  • Perform rig/facility assessment of crew/leadership performance, interaction and operational discipline.
  • Facilitate rig/facility Culture Surveys to assess the current safety climate within the organization.
  • Facilitate Leadership Round Table discussions to address management of change, risk mitigation, leadership principles and CRM topics.
  • Provide relevant feedback to platform/facility leadership on Continuous Improvement strategy.
  • Provide executive level after-action reviews/reports at client request or as regularly scheduled.
  • Demonstrate proper planning, briefing and debriefing techniques.
  • Develop training materials, presentations and reports.
  • Provide translation services as required.
  • Assist CEO, CSO, VP Operations and Marketing Manager with recommendations for Continuous Improvement of CAVU products and services.
  • Other duties as assigned by the CAVU Operations, Country Manager, Client Manager, Project Manager or Lead Coach when on a platform, facility, or other location.


Qualifications


Required Experience


  • 20 years of military service including:
  • Leadership and management responsibilities in charge of at least a platoon-size unit/department (20+ personnel)
  • Experience with high-risk environments/duties (e.g., aviation, combat training, nuclear power)
  • Bachelor's Degree


Desired Experience


  • 25+ years military service including:
  • Achieving senior officer/non-commissioned officer level rank
  • Command of a squadron-size unit or higher
  • Previous professional executive consulting/mentoring/coaching experience
  • Previous experience in the oil and gas industry - particularly on off-shore and/or land rigs
  • Master's Degree


Required Skills


  • Excellent public speaking abilities
  • Ability to interact affably, tactfully and persuasively with people at all levels from leadership to the deck plates and from diverse backgrounds/cultures
  • Working technical knowledge/aptitude with computers and audio-visual equipment
  • Exceptional Listening skills
  • Ability to win respect of and coach people at all levels of leadership
  • Exemplify outstanding leadership, teamwork & safety attributes
  • Particularly PowerPoint, Word and Excel