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Unit Drilling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

Combine water with chemicals for boring according to the ground you are drilling in. * Locate the ... Inspect and maintain job equipment, including drill equipment and mixing unit. Qualifications ...

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Unit Drilling information

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$8

$19

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How much do unit drilling jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for unit drilling in the United States is $19.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drilling unit operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drilling Unit Operator, you need a solid understanding of drilling operations, mechanical aptitude, and usually a high school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training or vocational certifications. Familiarity with drilling rigs, heavy machinery, safety protocols, and digital monitoring systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and the ability to communicate clearly are essential soft skills in this role. These skills ensure safe, efficient drilling operations and help maintain productivity and minimize risks on site.

What are some common challenges faced by drilling unit operators, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Drilling unit operators often encounter challenges such as unexpected equipment malfunctions, difficult geological formations, and maintaining strict safety protocols in hazardous conditions. Addressing these issues requires strong problem-solving skills, adherence to preventive maintenance schedules, and effective communication with the drilling crew and supervisors. Regular safety briefings and ongoing training are also essential to ensure everyone is prepared to respond quickly and efficiently to any situation that arises on the rig.

What is unit drilling?

Unit Drilling is a company that provides onshore contract drilling services for the oil and natural gas industry, primarily in the United States. The company operates a fleet of land-based drilling rigs that are used to drill wells for oil and gas exploration and production companies. Unit Drilling is known for its experienced crews, modern equipment, and commitment to safety and efficiency. Their services are essential for energy companies looking to access new reserves and maintain existing wells.

What is the difference between Unit Drilling vs Drilling Engineer?

AspectUnit DrillingDrilling Engineer
CredentialsRelevant certifications, technical trainingEngineering degree, certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentOn-site at drilling rigs, fieldworkOffice-based, site visits, project planning
Employer & Industry UsageOil & gas companies, drilling contractorsOil & gas companies, engineering firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Unit Drilling involves operating and maintaining drilling equipment on-site, focusing on the physical aspects of drilling operations. Drilling Engineers design and plan drilling projects, often working in offices but visiting rigs. Both roles are essential in the oil and gas industry, with overlapping skills but different primary responsibilities.

More about Unit Drilling jobs

What cities are hiring for Unit Drilling jobs?

Cities with the most Unit Drilling job openings:

What states have the most Unit Drilling jobs?

States with the most job openings for Unit Drilling jobs include:

Infographic showing various Unit Drilling job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,170 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Drilling & Completions Engineer

Arena Offshore LP

The Woodlands, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


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.