10 of the Most Popular Types of Rig Worker Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Rig Worker jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Rig Worker Jobs

• Weekend Oil Rig

  Salary range: $36,000 - $75,000

  Weekend Oil Rig is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Weekend Oil Rig jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $75,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Weekend Oil Rig job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Oil Drilling

  Salary range: $71,500 - $93,000

  Entry-level oil drilling jobs include positions like floorhand, deckhand, and roustabout. Many of these jobs are available on offshore oil rig platforms, as land-based jobs usually use the term “oil field” instead. In one of these positions, you help the rest of the crew on the rig harvest oil or gas. The details of an entry-level oil drilling job depend on the position, but many are physically intensive and require working long hours. Oil rigs often operate 24/7, so you may be asked to work nights, weekends, or holidays as needed. Most entry-level oil drilling jobs are similar to apprenticeships and involve extensive supervision of your work until the employer agrees that you are ready to work without supervision.

• Rigger

  Salary range: $48,000 - $62,000

  A rigger uses ropes, pulleys, and other tools to move heavy objects. Riggers are especially needed in tight construction spaces where heavy machinery cannot always fit. Riggers utilize cranes to move bulky items, securing their load with heavy chains, cables, or straps to securely move items from place to place. Riggers also use a system of pulleys and chain motors to maneuver items.

• Assistant Rig Mechanic

  Salary range: $36,000 - $45,000

  Assistant Rig Mechanic is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Assistant Rig Mechanic jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $45,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Assistant Rig Mechanic job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Oil Rig Housing Provided

  Salary range: $33,000 - $59,500

  Oil Rig Housing Provided is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Oil Rig Housing Provided jobs pay between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Oil Rig Housing Provided job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Offshore Drilling Rig

  Salary range: $72,500 - $100,000

  Offshore drilling rig jobs involve working on a crew to operate, maintain, or provide support operations on an oil and gas platform. Entry-level laborers, called roustabouts, clean and perform unskilled labor on an oil rig. Roughnecks are more-experienced deck-hands. These crew members work under a toolpusher (rig manager). In this management role, your duties focus on overseeing rig operations. Drillers operate the drill, while a mud logger examines the material from the hole for evidence of oil or gas. Technicians, such as welders and electricians, have responsibilities related to the maintenance, repair, and safe operation of equipment on the rig.

• International Rope Access

  Salary range: $68,500 - $85,500

  International Rope Access is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for International Rope Access jobs pay between $68,500 (25th percentile) and $85,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for International Rope Access job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• No Experience Oil Rig

  Salary range: $33,000 - $59,500

  No Experience Oil Rig is a popular job search query. Most salaries for No Experience Oil Rig jobs pay between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for No Experience Oil Rig job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Fifo Rig

  Salary range: $72,500 - $100,000

  Fifo Rig is a typical job search query Most salaries for Fifo Rig jobs pay between $72,500 (25th percentile) and $100,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Fifo Rig job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Drilling Rig Derrickhand

  Salary range: $37,000 - $71,000

  A drilling rig derrick hand is responsible for assisting the driller and mud engineer with operations on an oil rig. In this job, you guide the pipe as your team connects it to the drill hole, mix the drilling fluid, or “mud,” and repair and perform maintenance on the rig and associated equipment like the circulation machinery. You keep the pit area, mud house, walkways, and other areas of the rig clean, well-organized, and clutter-free, and your duties and responsibilities additionally include monitoring the mud pump manifolds, assisting in the chemical sack room, and ensuring the proper and safe operation of pumps, mudlines, valves, and gauges.