5 High-Paying Jobs in Oil & Gas Production Hiring Now

Oil and gas production is a multistage process of discovering, extracting, and turning crude oil and natural gas into finished products. From the initial stage of finding the resource to the last stage of turning it into a finished product, a lot happens that requires adequate labor.

While jobs in the oil & gas industry are highly competitive, there are numerous opportunities to pursue. As a job seeker in this industry, I'd first research the best-paying jobs based on my skills and interests. Read on to see exactly who those are.

Drill operators are skilled individuals who install and operate drills in areas with potential reservoirs beneath the earth's surface. The drill offers access to underground oil or gas. Once they install these holes, drill operators remove the available resources for testing and refinement.

Are you worried about the education requirements to work as a drill operator? Fortunately, you only need a high school diploma, including basic knowledge of various machines and tools. Additionally, most states require drill operators to have a well-driller license.

You will apply for this license in the Ministry of Energy and Resources. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment must review the license application before approval.

The salary for drill operators varies depending on the employer, experience, and skills. Expect to earn an hourly wage of $30.00 or an annual salary of $62,000. This job guarantees several benefits, including health insurance, dental insurance, and often flexible spending accounts.

Even with the economy struggling, drill operation jobs are still growing by approximately 4% annually (through 2028).

Service technicians operate well equipment to maximize oil and gas flow. They also remove obstructions from the wells, including stuck pipes, tools, and casing. When working as a service technician, you'll conduct daily inspections on equipment, provide maintenance services and replace equipment when necessary.

As one of the best-paying jobs in oil & gas production, service technicians should have a bachelor's degree in a science-related field like engineering, chemistry, or biology.

After landing the job, experienced technicians or automotive mechanics offer on-the-job training that may last for a few weeks or months. Certification and licensing are not usually required, but if you have them, you'll appear more competitive.

On average, service technicians start at an average wage of $56,000. However, the amount earned varies based on skill level, years of experience, and location. You'll also enjoy job security since the demand for service technicians is always high.

Service technicians in oil and gas production will stay in demand over the next decade. They'll be expected to boost efficiency and productivity in less productive fields. Moreover, they'll be required to install and maintain new technologies as the industry develops.

Petroleum engineers design and develop reliable methods to maximize oil & gas extraction in new and older wells. They're also responsible for determining the need for better, modified tools for improving extraction and production. If new wells are to be installed, petroleum engineers oversee drilling while offering technical advice.

You may work in an office or drilling and well sites. You'll be expected to visit various sites or meet with oilfield workers, customers, and other engineers.

To work as a petroleum engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering. Some employers may prefer a bachelor's degree in a related field like civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering. Certification and licensure are not a requirement for entry-level positions. However, you may require them later to advance your career.

Petroleum engineering is one of the best-paying jobs in oil & gas production. On average, petroleum engineers receive an annual salary of $148,000.

Employment in petroleum engineering is projected to grow by 8% from 2021-2031, with over 1,700 jobs available each year.

Pump system operators control the overall operations involved in refining or processing petroleum. They may specialize in controlling or operating manifold and pumping systems to ensure a steady circulation of petroleum through the refinery.

These operators gauge or test oil in tanks and regulate oil flow into lines. They monitor process indicators, meters, gauges, and other instruments to detect and report potential problems.

To get employed as a pump system operator, you'll need a high school diploma/GED, but some employers may prefer an associate's degree in process technology or a similar field. Once hired, you'll undergo on-the-job training for at least one year.

On average, pump system operators earn $80,500 per year. However, there are more opportunities for increased pay based on location, skill level, and years of experience.

The projected job growth between 2021-2031 is around 2% to 3%. Although slower than average, this growth still translates to approximately 4,000 new jobs yearly.

Geoscientists study the earth's composition and structure when exploring sites with oil, gas, and other minerals. They use geological information to identify potential areas and drill to collect sediment samples for testing.

As a geoscientist, your job involves finding potential gas and oil sites, drilling, monitoring, mitigating spills or leaks, and determining the environmental impacts of the extracted resource. You'll also work closely with other engineers, such as petroleum engineers, to find and develop oil & gas sites.

You need a bachelor's degree in geoscience to work in entry-level positions. You may also start your career with an engineering or environmental science degree, while some employers might prefer a master's degree from job applicants. Although licensing is usually not a requirement, 31 states require geoscientists offering services to the public to be licensed.

As one of the best-paying jobs in the industry, geoscientists earn an average of $104,000. The salary can also include bonuses and overtime pay.

These opportunities will grow by 5% through 2031 and add anywhere from 2,000-3,000 new open positions.

If you're looking for a job with opportunities for advancement and high pay, the oil and gas sector is a great place to start. Review the five career options we listed above and see which one makes the most sense for you!