Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
SOC Code: 47-5071.00
Construction & ExtractionRoustabouts are the foundational laborers of the oil and gas industry, performing critical hands-on work to keep drilling operations running smoothly. They assemble, repair, and maintain oil field equipment using an array of hand and power tools under the supervision of more experienced drillers. The work is physically demanding but essential—without roustabouts, the machinery and infrastructure needed to extract petroleum simply could not be maintained. Despite often being an entry-level position, roustabouts are the backbone of the upstream energy sector. Their labor directly supports the fuel supply chains that power modern civilization.
Salary Overview
Median
$47,510
25th Percentile
$38,330
75th Percentile
$57,170
90th Percentile
$64,010
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+2.5%
New Openings
4,300
Outlook
Slower than average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Unscrew or tighten pipes, casing, tubing, and pump rods, using hand and power wrenches and tongs.
- Dismantle and repair oil field machinery, boilers, and steam engine parts, using hand tools and power tools.
- Guide cranes to move loads about decks.
- Walk flow lines to locate leaks, using electronic detectors and by making visual inspections, and repair the leaks.
- Lay gas and oil pipelines.
- Bolt together pump and engine parts.
- Move pipes to and from trucks, using truck winches and motorized lifts, or by hand.
- Clean trucks used in the fields.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Less Than High School
Related Careers
A Day in the Life
A typical day for a roustabout begins with a safety briefing and assignment review before heading out to the drill site or platform. Throughout the shift they may shovel drilling mud, move heavy equipment and supplies, and assist in assembling or breaking down wellhead components. They work closely with drillers and derrick operators, handing off tools and completing tasks on demand. On offshore rigs, daily life also includes housekeeping tasks, maintenance of deck equipment, and strict adherence to emergency procedures. Shifts are typically 12 hours on and 12 off, often in rotation patterns such as two weeks on and two weeks off.
Work Environment
Roustabouts work outdoors on drilling rigs, oil platforms, and pipeline sites in all weather conditions—from scorching desert heat to frigid arctic cold. Offshore workers live aboard platforms for the duration of their hitch, with limited personal space and no opportunity to leave the worksite. The job is physically strenuous, involving heavy lifting, climbing, bending, and working with vibrating equipment for extended periods. Noise levels are high, and workers are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals, hydrogen sulfide gas, and the ever-present risk of blowouts. Personal protective equipment including hard hats, steel-toed boots, flame-resistant clothing, and hearing protection are mandatory at all times.
Career Path & Advancement
Roustabout is typically the entry point into oil field work, requiring no prior experience beyond physical fitness and a willingness to learn. After gaining experience, workers can advance to roughneck, then floorhand, and eventually driller—each step adding responsibility and a significant pay increase. With several years of experience and additional certifications, roustabouts can move into supervisory roles like toolpusher or company man. Some branch into related trades such as pipefitting or welding by acquiring additional certifications. The progression from roustabout to driller typically takes five to ten years of dedicated work.
Specializations
Some roustabouts specialize in offshore drilling operations, adapting to the unique challenges of working on platforms in open water. Others focus on land-based drilling in specific formations like shale plays, where horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing require familiarity with specialized equipment. A subset of roustabouts develop expertise in well servicing and workover operations, maintaining and repairing existing wells rather than drilling new ones. Pipeline roustabouts concentrate on maintaining and repairing the infrastructure that moves extracted oil and gas from wellheads to processing facilities.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓High earning potential relative to education requirement, especially with overtime
- ✓Clear advancement pathway from entry-level to driller and beyond
- ✓Extended time off between hitches allows for significant personal time
- ✓Work provides genuine mastery of mechanical and technical skills
- ✓Strong camaraderie and team culture on drill crews
- ✓No college degree required to begin a well-paying career
- ✓Global demand means job opportunities across multiple continents
Challenges
- ✗Extreme physical demands lead to high rates of injury and long-term wear on the body
- ✗Work schedules are disruptive to family life and social relationships
- ✗Employment is highly volatile and tied directly to oil prices
- ✗Exposure to toxic chemicals and hazardous gases poses ongoing health risks
- ✗Offshore assignments isolate workers from family for weeks at a time
- ✗Work continues in all weather conditions regardless of heat, cold, or storms
- ✗Long-term industry outlook is uncertain due to energy transition pressures
Industry Insight
The oil and gas industry is highly cyclical, with roustabout employment rising and falling sharply with crude oil prices. The shale revolution revitalized domestic drilling activity in the 2010s but also demanded workers who are comfortable with high-volume hydraulic fracturing operations. Automation is making incremental inroads—robotic pipe-handling systems reduce some manual labor—but the broad scope of physical tasks roustabouts perform makes full automation difficult in the near term. The energy transition toward renewables introduces long-term uncertainty, though decommissioning and remediation of existing wells will create work for years. Workers who cross-train in electrical or instrumentation skills will be best positioned as rig technology evolves.
How to Break Into This Career
Most employers require only a high school diploma or GED along with valid government-issued identification for drug screening and background checks. Physical fitness tests and the ability to pass a pre-employment drug test are standard requirements across the industry. OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certifications, while not always mandatory, give applicants a competitive edge and demonstrate commitment to safety. Many workers enter through labor contractors that supply crews to drilling companies, making staffing agencies a useful first point of contact. Some community colleges near major oil-producing regions offer introductory petroleum technology programs that can speed up advancement.
Career Pivot Tips
The physical skills, tool proficiency, and safety awareness developed as a roustabout transfer naturally to construction, pipeline maintenance, and heavy industrial work. Workers with mechanical aptitude can pivot into equipment maintenance, industrial millwright, or trades apprenticeships with relatively little additional training. The discipline and teamwork required on a drill site is valued in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics environments. Those looking to stay in energy but move away from the physical demands can pursue roles in supply chain, logistics, or equipment rental with some additional coursework. Veterans of the oil patch are often recruited by renewable energy construction firms, particularly for wind and solar installation on large-scale projects.
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