Offshore Oil Rig Jobs – Working on an Oil Rig Offshore

One would think that with the potential to earn a healthy salary working on offshore oil rigs that there would be a shortage of jobs in that field of the oil industry. This isn’t true, however. In fact, there’s a high demand for offshore oil rig workers in various parts of the world today.

There are many regions in the United States where offshore oil rigs can found. Alaska oil rig jobs seem to be in particular prominence these days, mainly because of the efforts of President George W. Bush and some other members of the Republican Party to expand oil-drilling operations there to reduce the country’s importation of oil from other nations. While there have been objections regarding possible environmental effects, it’s still a fact that the state’s economy relies heavily on oil-drilling activities.

If working near the Sunshine State appeals to you, then you should consider looking at Florida oil rig jobs. Drilling in Florida’s waters was once forbidden, but this seems about to change because of recent developments, from politicians proposing individual states to decide whether or not to allow offshore drilling, to polls showing increasing public support for domestic oil production.

You can also search for job openings in other locations: Canadian oil rig jobs, or oil rig jobs in Texas. Want to work somewhere other than North America? No problem. There are oil rig jobs in Thailand, if working in Southeast Asia appeals to you, or oil rig jobs, UK-based, if Europe is more your cup of tea.

How much does an offshore oil rig worker earn?

This depends on the worker’s job. Entry-level positions usually come with a yearly salary of $50,000 to $80,000.

Drill-deck workers, also called roustabouts and roughnecks make about $300 a day, or about $47,000 a year.

A driller, who ranks high on the oil rig hierarchy, makes about $420 a day – roughly $56,000 a year.

The supervisory positions of tool pusher and drill leader entail an annual salary of $75,000 to $100,000.

In addition, there are also auxiliary jobs that have nothing to do with oil drilling, but which are necessary on an oil rig, nevertheless. These include medical personnel and kitchen or galley staff. All these jobs usually come with perks like dental and medical insurance, accident insurance, life insurance, and generous vacation times.

What’s it like to worn on an offshore oil rig?

If you think a job aboard an offshore oil rig involves hard work, then you may be right. Certainly it requires physical strength and stamina. But other than those, one doesn’t really need much to land an oil rig job. You don’t need to hold a college degree, and you don’t need previous oil industry experience, though a good background in something like electrical or mechanical work could get you a job working in other parts of an oil rig such as the engine room. Also, it would be a good idea to start working on land-based rigs, to acquire experience that can help you get an offshore oil rig job.

Work on an oil rig goes on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with laborers working 8- to 12-hour shifts. You can expect to work on an offshore oil rig for 14 days, then get the next 21 days off. This means you are on holiday more often than you are at work during the course of a year.

Safety measures are enforced fully on offshore oil rigs, with the workers undergoing safety training before and during employment. Safety clothing and other equipment are provided by the employer.

Oil rig work can get you feeling dirty and exhausted, but at the end of your shift you can look forward to having excellent meals and comfortable accommodations, and all your laundry done for you.

The opportunity to work in another country in a job that pays handsomely and comes with great benefits, it’s no wonder many people are seriously considering oil rig jobs employment. So if you’re interested in working abroad, whether in oil rig diesel mechanic jobs or overseas construction jobs, there are numerous options out there for you.