Gas and oil-related products will forever remain essential to the growth and operation of human civilization. According to the 2023 data, the oil and gas industry is valued at 7.3 trillion USD. Undoubtedly it is one of the most lucrative industries in the world, and there are many best-paying jobs in the oil & gas production industry.
The oil and gas sector has been attracting many talented enthusiasts from around the world. Furthermore, if you are interested in working in this sector, you can find some of the best jobs. You can earn a salary of up to $250000 per year in this sector.
So, what are the highest-paying oil rig jobs? Go through this article to find out about the best oilfield jobs.
A General Overview of the Oil & Gas Production Industry in the USA
According to Indeed.com,
“The oil and gas industry is a large sector that spans the world and may generate a significantly higher revenue than other industries. This is largely in part because oil is an essential part of the global economy and helps fuel equipment, transportation, drilling companies, and various other industries that rely on gas and oil to function.”
The oil and gas industry is one of the biggest sectors in the world if one considers it as per the value of the dollar. It generated a global revenue of $5 trillion in 2022. Basically, oil is one of the major resources crucial for the global economic framework. It impacts everything like electricity, heating, transport, manufacturing, industrial production, etc.
Furthermore, joining the oil and gas production sector also requires a certain level of education. This is especially true for people involved in management and the ones in the higher ranks.
However, with a variety of changes in the oil and gas production sector for centuries, there have been various technological advancements. There are many systems in the oil and gas production sector that require up-to-date and state-of-the-art technology for the production process to operate at its optimum level.
Is A Career In The Oil & Gas Production Sector Good For You?
A career in the oil and gas production sector is a major source of jobs in the United States. Millions of people work in the energy sector, especially in the oil and gas production sector. In recent years, there has been a steady growth in the energy jobs. Hence, there has been a high demand for personnel.
Despite an increasing interest of customers in renewable resources of energy, the need for oil and gas is always high. Hence, if you are looking for ways to get into the oil and gas production sector, you can stay assured of the stability of your job.
Furthermore, a career in oil and gas production can also allow you to earn more than the national average. In the energy field, the oil and gas production sector is one of the highest-paying sectors. In addition to this, since there are a variety of jobs in the sector, no matter what job you choose, you will be able to learn a variety of skills. These can range from transferable skills like marketing or sales in a more corporate environment, to working with a wireline company to do more technical and analytical work in the field that helps determine the kind of subsurface deposits found. Moreover, you will gain a lot of experience, which will help you a lot in furthering your career in the long run.
Best Paying Jobs In Oil & Gas Production
While many job seekers look for consumer service jobs, you can take a different path in the gas and oil production industry. Gas and oil field jobs provide professionals with stale career opportunities. Here are some of the best jobs you can find in this sector. –
1. Gas Plant Operator
As a gas plant operator, you will be in charge of processing and distributing gas to utility companies. You will be distributing the gas using compressors that maintain pipeline pressures. These professionals also distribute gas to industrial plants and use elements like semiautomatic equipment and control boards.
You can work as a gas plant operator with only a high school diploma or a GED. But, you will require on-the-job training to qualify for the best-paying job of a gas operator.
- You will earn an average yearly salary of $51900 as a gas plant operator.
2. Well Testers
Another stable and one of the best paying jobs in oil & gas production is the role of the well tester. A well-tester have to evaluate and perform test of the oil pipelines. Their work usually takes place during the development phase of the pipelines. They also check the risk levels by using both surface and subsurface tools, data, and more to check these tools.
You do not have to have a bachelor’s degree for this job opportunity in the gas and oil production industry. A GED or high school diploma is enough for this job. Also, it would help if you could add on-site training experience to your resume.
3. Chemical Engineer
If you are looking for the best paying jobs in oil & gas production, you can go for the role of Chemical engineer. They work to process crude oils using the correct chemicals and ensure the safe and effective use of crude oil. These professionals usually work with scientists and engineers to ensure the safe transformation of crude oil into petroleum and other valuable ingredients. They also help with the storage of crude oil and newly extracted gasoline.
You obviously need a degree in Chemical engineering and experience in the field to work as a chemical engineer.
- Chemical engineers earn a salary of $105,000 per year. (average)
4. Petroleum Geologist
People looking for the best paying jobs in oil & gas production can choose and opt for the role of petroleum geologist. This job role requires professionals to look for oil and gas reserves underground in different locations. They also use their skills and geological data to help find sites where drilling for oil should be profitable. They also help make a geological makeup of the area where they can drill for oil.
They are efficient with the use of industry-level drilling equipment and can recommend the best equipment for the job. You need a bachelor’s degree to get started as a petroleum geologist.
- You can expect a salary of $68000 per year as a petroleum geologist.
5. Sales Representative
Sales jobs are available across different industries. If you want to become a salesman, then you can go for the best paying jobs in the oil and gas production industry. You will be working as an oil sales representative. One of your responsibilities will be selling finished petroleum goods to manufacturers and wholesalers.
Sales representatives often require a bachelor’s degree. However, you should also develop immense knowledge about industry trends and products.
- You can expect an annual salary of $736000 in the role of oil and gas sales representative.
6. Vessel Manager
The work of the vessel managers in the oil and gas production companies is usually based on offshore drilling. They train crew members, oversee offshore drilling expeditions, and collaborate with the drilling engineers. Their responsibilities also include ensuring the safety of offshore drilling expeditions.
You need a bachelor’s degree in natural science to get started with the career of vessel manager. Also, you need to take fleet management training courses.
- You can expect a salary of $72,000 as a vessel engineer.
7. Drilling Engineer
Drilling engineers are responsible for the efficient execution of the drilling expedition for the safe extraction of crude oil. They design, test, and supervise the complete drilling operation. You need to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and the related field. Having a state-issued certificate can also help you get a job in this sector.
- You will earn a salary of $82,000 per year.
8. HR Advisor
HR advisors are an essential part of any industry. You can get one of the best paying jobs in oil & gas production as an HR advisor for an oil and gas company. You will be responsible for reviewing and updating the job information of employees, checking their performance, and going through their grievances. Conflict resolution is also one of their job responsibilities. You must have a bachelor’s degree in the human resources field to get started as an HR advisor.
- You will earn a salary of $66000 per year.
9. Executive Account Manager
The executive account manager role is one of the best paying jobs in oil & gas production. This role requires the employees to organize, plan, and direct management operations. They also buy target oil accounts and nurture relationships with clients and other companies. You will also work with the investment manager of the company you work for.
The minimum educational requirement for the role of executive account manager is a bachelor’s degree in business management, accounting, or sales.
- You can expect a salary of $77000 per year.
10. Crude Oil Driver
Another important job opportunity in the gas and oil production sector is the role of crude oil driver. As a crude oil driver, you will be responsible for delivering and transporting crude oils and finished products to different locations such as – retailers, gas stations, and more. You need to have a driver’s permit and a minimum level of high school degree or a GED. Having previous experience as a commercial truck driver will be more helpful.
- You can expect an annual salary of $56000 per year.
Degrees Necessary to Join Oil & Gas Production in the USA
Since 2021, the number of jobs in the oil and gas production industry has grown significantly. However, the pool of applicants for the job role remained smaller. This is because the companies are making the hiring process challenging with time. Furthermore, there is also a lack of skilled talent and high competition in the industry. Such factors are adding to the difficulties of hiring companies.
Despite that, oil and gas companies are looking for new hires, as they are even recruiting from college campuses. Hence, having a degree applicable to the industry can be helpful. The following are some of the major degrees necessary to join the oil & gas production industry:
1. Petroleum Engineering
A degree in petroleum engineering is one of the most popular ones to choose if you want to join the oil & gas production industry.
According to Investopedia,
“Many petroleum engineers collaborate with geoscientists and other engineers to make sense of the geologic formations of rock that contain oil and gas. They are experts in designing drilling equipment, drilling methods, operations, and drilling plans. Aspiring petroleum engineers should have high proficiency in math, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.”
It comes as no surprise as the degree itself consists of the word petroleum. Also, having this degree helps new applications a lot in getting a job in the industry.
2. Chemical Engineering
There are two components of an oil business – upstream components and downstream components. The former includes exploration of oil and production, while the latter includes analysis of the chemical processes. This latter process helps in the oil refining process. This is where the chemical engineer comes into the picture.
Although there are certain stigmas related to the oil refining part of the industry, chemical engineers actually get good salaries. The salaries are relatively competitive as compared to petroleum geologists and engineers.
3. Petroleum Geology
The job of petroleum geologists includes finding oil in certain areas by studying the structure of rocks and minerals that are beneath the surface of the earth. Here, the geologists perform field studies and tests to prepare reports of certain areas for their companies or even government agencies.
This skill is in exceptional demand in the United States and elsewhere. Also, there is a big requirement for employees with certain technical skills who have the knowledge if horizontal drilling and other methodologies of oil discovery.
4. Mechanical Engineering
This aspect has a lot of applications in the oil and gas industry when it comes to the design and implementation of projects. Here, mechanical engineers work to design and ideate refineries, pipelines, offshore oil platforms, and more.
With the rise of modern technology, mechanical engineers also need to use various application platforms to create designs. Furthermore, there is also a big need to learn the use of AI in the design and architecture process.
Bottom Line
There will be sustenance for the gas and oil production sectors, and hence, they will keep on growing. It is the best time to look for the best paying jobs in oil & gas production companies. If you are looking for a career in this sector, then check out the different opportunities I have discussed in this article.
But if you have some extra questions to ask about them, use the comment section below. We usually answer as soon as your query pops up. Thanks for going through this article.
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