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Updated & Reviewed by
Joshua Lee -
March 25, 2026
Oil rig workers are crucial in extracting oil and gas from beneath the earth’s surface. Their job is demanding, often conducted in harsh environments, and involves risks. As such, compensation for oil rig workers varies widely, reflecting the dangers they face and the specialized skills they possess.
What is the average oil rig worker’s salary? Oil rig workers can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $120,000+ per year. Many factors contribute to how much these workers make, including their experience, skill set, role, overtime pay, and location of the oil rig.
If you’re an oilfield worker and have been hurt on the job, an Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP attorney can help you get full compensation for your suffering.
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As of March 2026, the average oil rig worker’s salary is $74,232. That works out to be $36 an hour or $1,428 a week. However, salaries often range from $53,575 to $84,948+, depending on various factors that we’ll discuss in more detail.
An oil rig worker’s pay per year is often determined by the position they hold. If you’re asking yourself, “How much do roughnecks make?” or “What kind of salary can I expect as a driller?” Take a look at the following oil rig job pay per position in the United States:
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Roustabout | $50k – $60k |
| Roughneck | $55k – $65k |
| Derrickhand | $75k |
| Driller | $70k – $90k |
| Toolpusher | $80k – $100k |
| Petroleum Engineer | $120k+ |
| Geologists | $120k+ |
Oil rig worker salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and role, but they can be very lucrative. Below, we’ll examine pay ranges for different experience levels, skill sets, and job roles specifically in Houston, TX. After all, Houston is a major hub for oil rigs, nicknamed the “Energy Capital of the World.”
An entry-level oil rig salary in Houston typically ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. These positions include roles, such as roughnecks and roustabouts, in which workers handle manual labor tasks like cleaning and maintaining equipment.
Roughnecks engage in physically demanding tasks, such as handling pipes, maintaining rig tools, and assisting with drilling operations. Roustabouts are responsible for general maintenance tasks that keep the rig functioning properly, from cleaning decks to repairing rig machinery.
Houston’s proximity to major drilling operations, both onshore and offshore, makes it an attractive area for those starting out in the oil and gas industry. Given the demand for labor in this field, entry-level workers can often find themselves with ample overtime opportunities, which can increase their overall yearly earnings.
For entry-level positions, it’s common for workers to undergo a brief on-site training period before being assigned to more technical tasks. Many companies in Houston also provide safety training, certifications, and mentorship from experienced workers.
Mid-level positions such as drillers or derrickhands earn between $70,000 and $100,000 annually. These roles involve increased technical knowledge and responsibility.
As a driller, you’ll oversee the rig’s primary drilling operations, including drilling equipment management, maintaining rig pressure, and ensuring the correct drilling techniques are used. Drillers coordinate closely with engineers and supervisors to ensure operations proceed safely and efficiently.
Meanwhile, Derrickhands manage equipment that lifts and moves heavy drill pipes while working high in the derrick. Their salaries reflect both the critical nature of their role and the hazards associated with working at heights.
Houston offers many opportunities for mid-level workers to advance their careers. Many companies invest in ongoing training and professional development to help workers stay current with technology and safety regulations. This ongoing development helps workers expand their skill sets and move up to higher-paying roles.
Workers in roles, such as tool pushers or rig managers, can earn between $150,000 and $250,000 per year.
Toolpushers oversee the entire drilling operation, ensuring proper use of equipment, procedural compliance, and crew safety. They coordinate closely with engineers, safety officers, and company representatives. Rig managers focus on the operational and financial side of drilling operations. They manage crews, monitor budgets, and ensure projects remain on schedule.
The path to these roles typically requires years of experience in mid-level positions, along with leadership training and industry certifications.
Certain oil rig workers with specialized skills can earn salaries as high as $200,000 annually.
Positions such as drilling engineers or safety coordinators require advanced technical expertise and a deep understanding of drilling processes and equipment.
Safety coordinators ensure that protocols are followed and must be well-versed in OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards and oil and gas safety regulations.
These roles often require advanced certifications or degrees, and many workers move into them after gaining experience in general oilfield positions.
Oil rig workers with a college degree in fields like engineering, geology, or chemistry can start in the six-figure range.
Positions such as petroleum engineers, geophysicists, and drilling consultants involve managing drilling projects, analyzing geological data, and optimizing operations.
Graduates from institutions such as University of Houston and Texas A&M are often recruited directly into the industry.
(Source: University of Houston Oil and Gas Job Salary Report)
The average hourly wage in the U.S. as of February 2026 is $37.72. Workers in offshore drilling operations may earn significantly more due to the complexity and hazards involved. Positions such as roustabout or floorhand often pay between $20 and $35 per hour, depending on experience.
Overtime, extended shifts, and hazardous assignments can significantly increase total earnings.
Now, we discussed average oil rig worker salaries for those living and working in Houston, but opportunities in this field span the entire state. In fact, Texas is one of the largest oil employment regions in the country.
Texas is a hotspot for oil and natural gas. It’s home to the Permian Basin in West Texas, which is currently the largest and most active oil field in the nation. It also features Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, which produces oil through hydraulic fracturing. What’s more, Texas also has its fair share of offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
Let’s look at the average oilfield worker pay in Texas specifically:
Texas entry-level roles (e.g., roughnecks): $43,968
Texas mid-level roles (e.g., technicians): $50,873
Texas senior-level roles (e.g., petroleum engineers): $74,556
There is a lot of room for growth in the oil industry, which means there is potential for higher pay. Some senior-level workers can earn between $150k and $250k+.
In terms of hierarchy, the drilling supervisor is generally the highest-ranking worker, followed by the toolpusher. Some of the highest-paying roles in the oilfield include:
When addressing average oil rig worker salaries, it’s important to differentiate between onshore and offshore workers.
Onshore rig workers are employed on land-based rigs. They typically live near the oil field and travel to and from the site each day. Meanwhile, offshore workers live and operate in marine-based oil rigs in remote offshore locations. For example, the offshore rigs in Texas are located in the Gulf of Mexico.
Given the nature of their work, offshore oil workers generally make more than onshore workers due to the following reasons:
So, how much do offshore oil workers make? According to one report, an offshore driller earns an average salary of $176,348. That said, the following is a breakdown of the averages associated with different offshore positions:
While offshore oil rig workers tend to make more than onshore workers, the oil rig profession in general can be a lucrative career. The following are some common reasons why:
Furthermore, oil rig workers typically work longer hours than the traditional eight-hour day associated with other professions.
A typical schedule could include:
Over a recent five-year period, 470 workers died on the job, with 219 of those deaths occurring in Texas. Oil rig workers face hazards including heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, and extreme working conditions. Common accidents include slips, falls, equipment strikes, and machinery-related injuries.
Onshore and offshore oilfields can be dangerous, and unfortunately, accidents and injuries do occur.
If you’re injured while on the job, it’s crucial for you to understand your legal options.
For one, Texas is unique from other states in that it offers a non-subscriber system. This means your employer may have opted out of workers’ compensation. Unlike when you’re covered under traditional workers’ compensation, there is a different set of rules you must follow to receive compensation. In this case, you would sue your employer for negligence, but the caveat is that you must prove their negligence.
Now, if the incident involved multiple companies, filing a third-party claim is another option. Regardless of whether your employer subscribes to workers’ compensation, you can still sue the other parties involved.
The third option pertains to offshore accidents. If the injury occurred on an offshore rig, Texas laws may not apply, so you’ll need to follow the appropriate maritime laws when making your claim.
As you can see, navigating injuries in an oilfield can be tricky. If you were injured in an oil rig accident, we recommend hiring an oilfield injury lawyer or maritime injury lawyer for professional guidance. They can help you receive compensation for your damages.
Injured oil rig workers may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits covering medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.
An experienced oil field injury attorney can help guide injured workers through the claims process and pursue additional compensation if negligence contributed to the accident.
The attorneys with Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP have extensive experience representing injured oil rig workers.
If you have problems obtaining the compensation you deserve after an oilfield accident, schedule a free case evaluation by contacting us online today.
Joshua Lee believes in aggressive, tough advocacy and a client-centered approach to every case. Joshua draws from a wide body of experiences and a robust understanding of the law. Joshua graduated from the New York University School of Law in New York City, which is considered among the best law schools in the world. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.
Entry-level workers, such as roughnecks and roustabouts, typically earn $50,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on their skill sets and the rig’s location.
Yes, offshore positions usually pay higher wages than onshore roles, due to hazardous working conditions, remote locations, and longer rotations.
Roughnecks typically earn between $55k and $65k, depending on factors such as experience and the location of the oil rig.
Some of the highest-paying positions, including toolpushers, drilling supervisors, geologists, and petroleum engineers, can earn $150,000 to $200,000+.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of lawyers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Our lawyers have more than 20 years of legal experience as personal injury attorneys.
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