| Offshore oil rig jobs are both physically demanding | | | | unskilled labour. Many Roustabouts advance to the |
| and challenging. Because of the sometimes | | | | position of Roughneck within just a few short |
| extreme conditions that rig workers operate | | | | years and can then specialise in fields that pay |
| under, the oil rig companies make the living | | | | substantially more. The position of Driller can |
| conditions as comfortable as possible. You can | | | | expect to be paid up to $100,000 and |
| expect your quarters to be of the highest | | | | professionals with relevant qualifications can earn |
| standard and all your food and board costs to be | | | | anywhere up to $250,000. |
| covered. In addition to this your travel expenses | | | | Less Physical Rigging Jobs |
| are also covered by the company. There is a | | | | For those interested in offshore oil rig work but |
| large variety of jobs offshore on offer including | | | | are interested in a less physical position, you could |
| both entry level as well as senior positions. This is | | | | consider working in the kitchens as part of the |
| an industry that promotes from within, so starting | | | | catering crew. The position of steward or |
| at the bottom and working through the ranks is | | | | stewardess is considered one of the less physical |
| considered normal. | | | | position onboard and requires no previous |
| Hours Worked and Off Time | | | | experience. You will be required to serve food, |
| The working hours may seem long with shifts of | | | | assist in the kitchen and also deal with laundry. |
| 12 hours being considered the norm, but it is also | | | | Cooks and Kitchen bosses will require previous |
| very common for most of the oil rig positions to | | | | experience in food preparation with certification, |
| work on a rotation basis with more time off than | | | | but don't require previous oil rig work experience. |
| on. Many of the employees will experience a | | | | The catering crew are also treated well by the |
| fourteen days on to twenty one days off | | | | other members of the crew as food is a very |
| rotation. Other positions will require working longer | | | | important aspect of living offshore. |
| durations with less time off, but generally you can | | | | Health and Safety |
| expect to have at least half your year off. | | | | Safety and health are also very important and |
| Entry Level Positions | | | | first aid training is provided to all crew on a regular |
| The variety of entry level oil rig work that does | | | | basis. The offshore medic will be required to deal |
| not require any previous rig experience includes | | | | with a huge variety of different situations due to |
| Roustabouts, Assistant Roustabouts, Painters, | | | | limited access to other medical assistance. There |
| Materials man or woman, Medics and Scaffolders. | | | | are always qualified first aiders onboard who will |
| The position of radio controller as well as some of | | | | assist when required and are generally members |
| the positions within the catering crew are also | | | | of other crews. Throughout your employment |
| considered new start positions. You could also | | | | offshore, you will have to remember the |
| start your career onboard as a Mudman or a | | | | importance of the work environment and safety |
| Welder and there are always new positions arising | | | | is the most important aspect. All crew are trained |
| as the Safety Man. | | | | on equipment checking procedures and knowing |
| With regards to the position where it is advisable | | | | which equipment is tested and ready for use. |
| to have worked on a rig before, there are | | | | While working offshore is challenging and is |
| various crews that include drilling crew, deck crew | | | | considered to be a dangerous profession, the |
| and engineering, mechanical and subsea crews. | | | | rewards are in line with those dangers. Offshore |
| With such a huge variety in work requirements, | | | | oil rig jobs are sought after because of the high |
| there is a lot of scope for advancement. | | | | pay and extended off-time. Many of the crew |
| Salary Expectations | | | | instant that landing their first rigging jobs required |
| The starting salary for a Roustabout or Assistant | | | | knowing the recruitment strategies and getting |
| Roustabout is in the region of $300 a day. While | | | | their application in front of the right people. Once |
| this is not an extremely high pay for the physical | | | | you have established yourself in the industry, you |
| challenges that the position entails, it is a very | | | | can advance quickly and earn a substantial |
| good salary for what is often referred to as | | | | amount of money with few qualifications. |