Drilling Rig Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Six positions on an oil rig crew run the operations of both onshore and offshore drilling rigs. As the rig manager, you are in charge of the company's interests. You oversee all personnel and operations and report program progress to your superiors. As a driller, you monitor drilling procedures and ensure that all other personnel follows safety and efficiency protocol. As a derrickhand, you maintain and repair the circulating system equipment. Your duties as a leasehand include setting up and taking down the drilling equipment and keeping an organized work environment. The floorhand's responsibilities include manipulating pipe sections and drill stems. Finally, as the motorhand, you operate the diesel and electric engines that keep the rig running.

You do not need formal education to get a job on a drilling rig. While some vocational schools provide classes beneficial to the drilling rig industry, you should get most of your training through the company before getting to the rig. Depending on your position, you may need a valid IWCF certification and other drilling-related certificates. For higher level management positions, you need prior experience with rig operations. Other qualifications include excellent problem-solving skills, the ability to adapt to new situations quickly, and physical stamina, as a shift is typically 12 hours.