Is oilfield services/equipment a good career path? Do you need some of the best paying jobs in service/equipment In the world of oilfield services, one can take many different career paths. The industry is large and diverse, so there are many routes you can take to pursue your dreams.
The oilfield services and equipment industry is one of the most lucrative in Alberta, with more than 5,000 companies providing a variety of services to the energy sector.
If you’re interested in working in the oilfield services/equipment industry, here’s some information on how it works:
What is an Oilfield Service Company?
An oilfield service company provides services for the oil and gas industry. They may provide drilling rigs or other forms of equipment that have been designed for specific tasks. Some companies simply provide jobs for their employees and send them out to work in clients’ fields. Others own the equipment they use and operate it themselves.
Is Oilfield Services/Equipment a Good Career Path?
Yes, oilfield service/equipment is a good career path. Although the pay is not great but is still decent enough to make a living if you’re careful with your money. The industry has hundreds of thousands of jobs contributing massively to the global economy.
You can make good money if you are willing to travel or move around. It’s also important to remember that there are many oilfield services/equipment jobs, so not all of them pay well or pay enough for what they expect from their employees. You should try every job before deciding which one is right for you.
The work can be very hard, especially when you’re new. My advice would be to learn as much as possible. The more skilled you are, the better your chance of doing well in this industry. Anybody can do this work with some training and experience, but it takes an expert to do it well.
What are the Educational/Skill Requirements to Get into the Oil Services/Equipment Field?
There are no specific educational requirements for working in this field, but many employers prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many colleges offer programs designed to prepare students for careers in this field. Below are some of the requirements.
You’ll need strong communication skills and good people skills to succeed as an oilfield services worker. Because much of your work will be done outdoors, you must also be comfortable around machinery and other equipment. You should also have basic knowledge of specific equipment, such as drills, pumps, and compressors, so you can be prepared when something goes wrong during an operation. The oilfield equipment field is a very competitive one. The industry needs qualified personnel, and candidates must be prepared to meet requirements and pass tests.
To become an oilfield equipment operator, you’ll need to:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Be 18 years old when you apply for training.
- Be able to lift 50 pounds with ease, drag 100 pounds and carry 125 pounds.
- Meet the requirements for eyesight, hearing, and dexterity (for example, being able to bend over, grasp, or lift objects).
The Best Paying Jobs in the Oilfield Services/Equipment Field
Below are the highest and best paying jobs in the oilfield services/equipment field to begin with.
1. Oilfield Service Technician
An oilfield service techinician is one of the best paying jobs in the oilfield services/equipment field you can think of. The average salary for an oilfield service technician is $48,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with some earning as much as $60,000 per year. The BLS also reports that most technicians work full-time and receive benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation days.
Technicians usually begin their careers as laborers or roustabouts who perform manual labor on drilling rigs or other equipment. They may also assist in the maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment related to drilling operations. As they gain experience working on rigs, they may move into supervisory positions or become certified technicians specializing in specific areas such as electrical engineering or welding.
A high school diploma is usually required for entry-level positions in this field. Some employers offer training programs for new employees, while others prefer candidates who already have some experience working on oil rigs or other heavy equipment used in construction projects.
2. Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineering is another best paying job in oilfield services/equipment to jump on. They earn between $77,000 – $114,000. They are charged with the responsibility of designing and developing methods for oil extraction from the ground. They are involved in all stages, from extraction, refinery, and production.
3. Chief Engineer
Chief Engineer is a high-level position that requires years of experience and a lot of education. Chief engineers earned an average of $150,960 annually. Chief engineers often have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another relevant field, along with extensive work experience.
4. Driller
Drillers earn between $70,000 and $120,000 per year. Drilling is one of the most important aspects of an oil well. Drilling involves using heavy machinery to dig into the ground to reach an oil or gas deposit deep within Earth’s crust. Drillers use tools such as drills and bits to cut through rock; they also operate large trucks that haul away dirt from drilling sites after holes have been dug out by machinery like rotary drills or jackhammers
5. Oilfield Maintenance Technician
The average annual salary for an oilfield maintenance technician is $55,000. This is also another great entry-level position that offers opportunities for advancement if you want to move up in rank at your company or take on other positions within the industry, like moving up into management roles or becoming an operator of heavy machinery such as cranes, shovels, loaders and other equipment used in construction and maintenance operations at drilling sites around the world.
6. Operator
Suppose you want to work directly on an oil well or facility. In that case, this is one of the best jobs for beginners because operators typically don’t require any previous experience or formal training. Operators usually start as roustabouts — people who clean up equipment, set up scaffolding, and move heavy objects around — before moving up into other positions, such as pipe layers or valve tenders.
7. Pump Technician
Pump technicians help maintain pumps used to drain water from wells or remove excess fluids from drilling sites so they can continue working efficiently
8. Mechanical Engineer
This is the most common job in the oilfield services/equipment field, with over 200,000 positions. A mechanical engineer needs a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another related field. They design and develop machinery and equipment for use in manufacturing processes or in systems where machinery is used.
9. Associates
Associates must have a two-year degree in engineering or geology and may specialize in drilling or production operations. They often supervise crews of service technicians.
10. Oilfield Service Representative
This job requires a college degree in an engineering or business-related field. These candidates must also have at least two years of experience in a similar role. The average salary for this position is $70,000 annually, with a starting pay of around $50,000.
11. Service Superintendent
This job requires a four-year degree in engineering or business-related and one year of experience in a similar role. These candidates must also communicate well with their team members to resolve any issues quickly and efficiently. The average annual salary for this position is $96,000, with an entry-level pay of around $60,000 annually.
12. Field Supervisor
This job requires at least five years of experience working in the oilfield services industry and a four-year degree in an engineering or business-related field. These candidates must also communicate well with their teams and other departments within their company.
13. Mechanic
A mechanic can make between $60,000 and $120,000 per year. Mechanics are responsible for maintaining equipment at drilling sites and ensuring that it works properly. They also perform routine maintenance on the equipment, such as changing filters or replacing parts. Mechanics must know how all types of equipment work because they may be called upon to repair many different types of machines at once.
14. Hydraulic Fracturing Technician
The average annual salary for a hydraulic fracturing technician is $60,000. This is a highly sought-after position in the industry, and many companies offer on-the-job training to help you get started on your career path.
What are there in the Oilfield Services/Equipment field?
The top five employers in this sector are Schlumberger Limited, Halliburton Company, Baker Hughes Incorporated (a GE company), Weatherford International Ltd., and Superior Energy Services Inc.
What jobs in the Oil service/Equipment sector that does not require a college degree?
Jobs such as mechanics, driller, technicians, and the operator does not need a college degree to get one. You just have to get the skills and have the necessary physical attributes, such as strength and agility.
In Conclusion
The Oil Service/Equipment field is one of the few fields that give access to individuals without college degrees to get a job. There are jobs for certified individuals and some for skilled individuals. The Oil Service/Equipment field is an advantageous sector, but it can be very demanding and tasking.
