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Rig Watch Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Field Maintenance Tech PDC

Fruita, CO · On-site

$19.50 - $26.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Field Maintenance Technician 1 travels to drilling rig field locations to perform a variety of ... Ability to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing work ...

Field Maintenance Tech PDC

Fruita, CO · On-site

$19.50 - $26.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Field Maintenance Technician 1 travels to drilling rig field locations to perform a variety of ... Ability to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing work ...

General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning ... Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing ...

Floorhand - Lower Rockies

Fruita, CO · On-site

$28.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning ... Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing ...

Serves primarily as an engine room watch stander. Works with the maintenance department to ensure ... Participate in the effective management of the Rig Maintenance System (RMS) and ensure all records ...

Floorhand - Lower Rockies

Fruita, CO

$28.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning ... Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing ...

Serves primarily as an engine room watch stander. Works with the maintenance department to ensure ... Participate in the effective management of the Rig Maintenance System (RMS) and ensure all records ...

General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning ... Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing ...

The Motorhand is responsible for the generators, equipment, and systems that power the rig and ... Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing ...

Motorhand -Lower Rockies

Fruita, CO · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Motorhand works closely with and oversees Floorhands on the rig floor, assists the Derrickhand ... Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing ...

Showing results 41-60

Rig Watch information

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$7

$26

$46

How much do rig watch jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for rig watch in the United States is $26.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $36.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a rig watch?

A Rig Watch, sometimes called a rig watcher or rig watchman, is a person responsible for monitoring the safety and security of an oil or gas drilling rig. Their duties often include conducting safety checks, monitoring equipment, watching for hazards such as gas leaks or fires, and ensuring that only authorized personnel access the rig. Rig Watches play a crucial role in preventing accidents and responding quickly to emergencies. This position is essential for maintaining safe operations in drilling environments, both onshore and offshore.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rig watch, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rig Watch, you need a solid understanding of rig operations, safety protocols, and hazard identification, often supported by relevant certifications such as Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET). Familiarity with monitoring systems, safety equipment, and incident reporting tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, situational awareness, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this position. These skills ensure the safety and efficiency of rig operations by enabling early detection and response to potential hazards.

What are some common challenges faced by rig watch professionals, and how can they best prepare for them?

Rig Watch professionals often face challenges such as extended shifts, harsh weather conditions, and the need for constant vigilance to ensure safety on drilling sites. Teamwork and clear communication are essential, as they frequently collaborate with drilling crews and safety officers to monitor equipment and respond quickly to any irregularities. To best prepare, candidates should be comfortable with shift work, have a solid understanding of safety protocols, and be committed to ongoing training to keep up with evolving technology and regulations.

What is the difference between Rig Watch vs Drilling Supervisor?

AspectRig WatchDrilling Supervisor
CertificationsOSHA, H2S, Basic SafetyOSHA, H2S, Well Control
Work EnvironmentOffshore/onshore oil rigs, safety monitoringOffshore/onshore drilling sites, overseeing operations
Employer & Industry UsageOil & gas companies, safety teamsOil & gas companies, drilling contractors
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Rig Watch roles focus on safety monitoring and compliance on drilling sites, often requiring safety certifications. Drilling Supervisors oversee drilling operations, ensuring safety and efficiency, with similar certifications but more operational responsibilities. Both roles are essential in the oil and gas industry, with overlapping credentials and work environments, but differ in scope and responsibilities.

More about Rig Watch jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Rig Watch jobs?

The most popular types of Rig Watch jobs are:

What states have the most Rig Watch jobs?

States with the most job openings for Rig Watch jobs include:

Infographic showing various Rig Watch job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,272 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Experienced Floorhands - Permian Basin

Patterson-UTI

Midland, TX

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Patterson-UTI rating

5.0

Company rating: 5.0 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

82nd of 87 rated oil and gas companies


Job description

Detailed Description:

  • Lift and place slips weighing approximately 150 pounds with another person frequently during the tour work shift

  • General upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular sweeping, shoveling, cleaning, painting, washing of equipment and related housekeeping duties

  • Clean and general upkeep of the rig and drilling floor; includes regular painting, washing of equipment and related housekeeping duties

  • Use iron roughneck, slips, and tongs to properly handle and connect / break sections of drill pipe

  • Assist in rig moves: help with rig-up / rig-down, nipple up and down blowout preventers, assist with general assembly and maintenance and help prepare new location

  • Regularly check rig and equipment for any problems and safety issues on an ongoing basis

  • Assist with inspecting, slipping and cutting drilling line

  • Responsible for picking up and laying down tubulars, attaching or detaching pick- up lines, and the hook up and tear out of flare and degasser lines

  • Assist Motorhand with preventative maintenance and repairs of equipment and motors, pipe, and off-loading materials as well as checking / changing oil and coolant on engines

  • Assist Derrickhand with watching and maintaining shakers, mud pits and pumps

  • Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times which could include but is not limited to: hard hat, safety glasses, coveralls, work gloves, respirator, and hearing protection 

  • Inspect safety equipment and PPE for wear and replacing as needed

  • Maintain spatial orientation and awareness to safely move around work environment with many moving objects

  • Work in a heavy industrial environment which includes working around constantly moving overhead machinery, being in close proximity to loud equipment and handling potentially hazardous chemicals

  • Take initiative and work independently during downtime

  • Support other crew members by carrying supplies, ensuring compliance with safety procedures and other additional tasks as assigned

  • Other duties as assigned that may be outside of this job description

Job Requirements:

  • Ability to stand and walk for a minimum of 3.5 hours and up to 12 hours without being able to sit and while wearing steel-toed boots

  • Able to repetitively climb steep stairs and be able to lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces

  • Must be comfortable working at heights (50 ft. or greater) for extended periods of time

  • Stay alert and focused up to 12.5 hours while performing repetitive and routine activities

  • Bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and crawl throughout the tour work shift

  • Prior experience or ability to use heavy-duty handheld and long-handled tools

  • Ability to safely lift and carry 50 pounds independently and repetitively climb steep stairs

  • Demonstrate clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English as well as understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English

  • Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing work activities to coworkers and third parties

  • Able to have accurate recall over short and long-term memory

  • Able to work closely with others in the confined area of the drilling rig and may live together in crew quarters

  • Work with an emphasis on safety for themselves and others including coworkers and third parties

  • Willing to travel to and work in remote locations on a rotational schedule which consists of 14 days on / 14 days off, working 12.5 hour shifts that can include days or nights and as well as weekends and holidays

  • Willing to work mandatory and unscheduled hours outside of your assigned schedule with little or no advanced notice

  • Must be willing and able to attend and successfully complete classroom training and testing to qualify for a rig assignment

  • Able to successfully meet pre-employment testing requirements which may include, without limitation, pre-employment drug and alcohol test(s) and background checks as well as drug and/or alcohol testing periodically during employment (subject to state and federal laws) 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Six (6) months of stable work history

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Minimum of six (6) months of experience working on a similar style drilling rig preferred.
  • One (1) year stable related work history (e.g., farming, ranching, construction, heavy equipment or other trade) or military service
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Additional Details:

This position requires the person to work outdoors for an entire tour work shift in all kinds of weather conditions, including precipitation, cold / heat, high wind, and turbulent conditions. They will be exposed to the typical conditions of the local area where the rig is located.  Southern states generally experience hot summers where temperatures range from 80 to low 100 with high humidity; winters have temperatures that generally do not go below 20. Northern states generally have hot summers with similar conditions and have cold, windy winters, with low temperatures that can be as cold as - 40.

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