Now let’s look into this question, ‘is oilfield services/equipment a good career path?’ This is a long-coming question that deserves a little attention from us. Even though oilfield services and equipment is a lucrative career, it is not for everyone. But if you have the strength to face the tedious nature of the work there and ready to be off shore often, then you might want to consider a career in the industry.
That doesn’t mean jobs in oilfield services and equipment don’t come with their own unique perks and opportunities too. In fact, jobs in the industry are among the most lucrative jobs you can find. So, in this post, we are going to be shining more light on the oilfield services and equipment industry to help you make an informed decision about picking a career path there. We will answer the question, ‘is oilfield services/equipment a good career path?’
Table of Contents
First, What Are Oilfield Services?
Let’s first clear the air on this. Oil extraction is a major phase in the process of oil and gas production. It is the process of digging deep into the earth crust to bring crude oil to the surface. Now, oilfield services is a term normally used to classify companies that provide expertise and tools required for the process of oil extraction.
They provide the equipment, hire people to operate and maintain them, and generally keep things running smoothly in that sector. The industry is a fast growing one, with new technologies finding their way into the sector to make several processes much easier. But as new machinery are entering into the industry, companies in the oilfield services regularly need workers capable of operating the new heavy machinery. That makes the industry one that is in high demand.
What Does It Feel Like Working In Oilfield Services/Equipment?
If you are asking, ‘is oilfield services/equipment a good career path?’ because you want to go into oilfield and equipment industry, then you will want to have an idea of what working in the industry feel like. What will you be doing as a worker there?
The major work in oilfield and services is performed on-site. Which means picking a career there will mean working away from family and friends. Workers there experience long shifts, typically 10 to 14 hours. In addition to that, oilfield work is also very physically demanding. You will be exposed to different extreme weather conditions.
Workers there do a lot of heavy lifting and mount heavy equipment which may be different from the regular ones you are used to. It requires team work and ability to work under pressure. Most works there will also require you to move quickly from one task to another, so you just need to be physically fit to face such requirements.
Is Oilfield Services/Equipment a Good Career Path: Some Perks About the Industry
There are many good things about the industry you will need to know. Even though works there are quite demanding and tedious, they often come with lots of compensations that makes picking a career path there really rewarding. Let’s see some of them:
-
Highly lucrative
Most people choose a career path in oilfield services and equipment because of the money in it. Jobs there are highly rewarding and lucrative, you can make up to $100,000 per year and you can earn overtime pay when you work long hours. Since you will be spending most of your time on water – in the middle of nowhere, you will have less expenses to make, leaving you with more money in the bank.
-
Variety of job opportunities
If you are always afraid of jobs that require you to sit long hours at the back of a computer, the oilfield may be for you. Every day is different for workers in the industry. From helping to setup drilling equipment to setting up oilfield wellheads, or transporting fracking equipment, there are lots of job roles available in the industry. Do you enjoy varieties, you can be sure you will get enough of them in oilfield and equipment industry.
-
Growth opportunities
While there are several career paths to choose from in oilfield services and equipment, all of them provides you with unique growth opportunities. There is always new skills to be learned, new programs and training to attend – all to help you climb up the ladder in your career.
-
Travel opportunities
Needless to say this. But working in the oilfield services and equipment industry will offer you the opportunity to travel the world and get paid for doing so. Frequent travel is required for most job positions in the industry.
-
Enough time off work
Although working in the industry will require you to spend lots of hours away from home, most companies there will offer you enough flexibility working with them. For instance, if you work for an offshore oil company, you can even get half the year off.
Is Oilfield Services/Equipment A Good Career Path; Job Outlook in the Industry
Oilfield services and equipment is a growing industry which also experiences string employment growth. Because of the nature of the work there, there is always a demand for workers to replace those retiring from the industry. If you are concerned about getting a job in the industry, you need not worry; there are enough jobs for anyone interested in getting their feet and hands dirty to make good income.
How much do workers in oilfield services and equipment make?
The average salary of workers in the industry is between $15 and $40 per hour. But this is dependent on the jurisdiction as some jurisdictions pay higher rates than other due to some factors. But common wage scale for a worker in the industry is $15 to $25 for laborer and around $35 for technicians and supervisors. In addition, you will also be enjoying some other perks such as pensions and group insurance.
Is Oilfield Services/Equipment a Good Career Path: Top-Paying Job in the Industry
#1: Technical director ($100,323 per year))
Their primary responsibility is to supervise and support drilling team leads, project managers, and consultants by providing operational recommendations and strategic direction.
#2: Director of operations ($92,542 per year)
This professional is in charge of managing all essential functions in the company, including sales, budgeting, marketing, purchases, etc. They come up with long-term operational strategies that will help the company achieve its set goals.
#3: Crude oil driver ($76,874 per year)
They transport raw oil materials and finished goods to gas stations, retailers, and customers. This is one of the entry-level jobs in the industry, and so doesn’t require any stringent educational requirement.
#4: Drilling engineer ($75,770 per year)
They are in charge of operating and executing drilling operations for oil and gas in their crude states. From beginning to the end, drilling engineers oversee the entire drilling process.
#5: Vessel manager ($72,125 per year)
They oversee the drilling process, ensuring safe drilling on oil and petroleum vessels. They ensure all activities surrounding drilling are performed according to standards to ensure safety.
#6: Petroleum geologist ($70,578 per year)
This professional is responsible for searching for and discovering new oil and gas depots through the use of sophisticated tools. They also recommend the best drilling method for any oil depots they find. A bachelor’s degree in geosciences is required to be a petroleum geologist in any company.
#7: Oil tester ($44,061 per year)
They regularly assess and evaluate pipelines during the development phase to determine how much risk and stability is involved in any drilling site. Typical education requirement to become an oil tester is a high school diploma onsite training.