Most of the best-paying jobs in oil & gas production are no longer easy to come by these days. This is because the COVID-19 epidemic has caused a tremendous deal of instability in the oil and gas sector. Oil and gas prices fell to an all-time low during COVID-19 in 2020 due to a decrease in demand. Recently, supply has found it challenging to keep up with demand, resulting in price hikes in the energy industry that significantly boost inflation.
A disparity between increasing productivity and declining employment has been one of the industry’s most significant themes in recent years. Fresh methods like horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing were developed, making it simpler to drill oil and gas from reserves.
Although there may be fewer job openings in the sector, individuals who engage in the oil industries are still paid competitively. With an average yearly salary of $80,710, the industry outpays most high median salaries. The median annual wage for nonfarm employees in the United States, which used to be $41,950 in 2020, is nearly doubled by this sum.
This article will take you across some of the highest-paying jobs in the industry. But first, let’s discuss the production of oil and gas.
What Is the Production of Oil and Gas?
The process of extracting oil and gas from wells and turning it into finished petroleum products that people may use is known as oil and gas production. Exploration of the site, actual extraction, and distribution of the products to businesses and the general public are all processes in oil production. One of the largest industries in the world and a key component of the global economy is oil and gas.
It is susceptible to change and can be very unstable, just like any other industry. It is necessary to enhance oil and gas output because of the recent developments between 2 significant energy producers to avoid shortages and prevent the price from continuing to rise.
15 Best Paying Jobs in Oil & Gas Production Companies You Can Dream Off
The oil and gas industry always plays an important role and offers some of the best-paying jobs in Consumer Non-durables sector. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Subsea Engineer: ($100,000-$150,000/year)
A subsea engineer’s job is one of the highest-paying offshore jobs in this industry. They create tools and parts that are used in offshore, underwater environments. Although the oils and gas industries employ a lot of subsea engineers, this profession is not limited to those sectors. You might build structures in this position to take into account issues such as low temperatures, high pressure, corrosion, and aquatic life.
2. Completions Engineer – ($101,000–$155,000/year)
After drilling and lining are finished, it is the responsibility of completions engineers in the oil sector to complete a good assembly. In this line of work, the responsibilities of a completion engineer include keeping an eye on the well, looking for any structural or geological problems that could hinder completion efforts, and creating plans for installing the remaining machinery to make oil pumping easier. As a completion engineer, you create the best system to handle the particular conditions of distinct wells by analyzing, testing, and recording a variety of well-related characteristics like pressure and temperature.
3. Senior Landman – ($88,500-$143,000/year)
Currently, the average Senior Landman’s annual salary in the US is between $88,500 and $143,000. Although some progress is conceivable, the moderate range of earnings indicates that the income in this position will be stable regardless of skill level, location, and level of experience. According to recent job posting data on ZipRecruiter, there aren’t many employers hiring for the Senior Landman position in the United States. You can try looking up titles with similar meanings to identify occupations with more active chances. Of all the oil field jobs that pay 100k and above, the senior landman is the most sought-after but very limited.
4. Landman – ($66,000–110,000/year)
A landman is an intermediate between the company and landowners, and he negotiates leases and land ownership for the company. As part of the duty of a Landman, he researches the interest, rights, and ownership of land before the negotiation kicks off. A landman also creates contracts, examines titles, purchases leases, inspects surface land, and ensures that the standards of the laws are respected in the transaction.
5. Rig Welder ($46,000-$101,000/year)
An important figure in the oil sector is a Rig Welder. A Rig Welder uses special tools to weld metals aboard oil rigs, which are big platforms built for oil drilling, treatment, and storage. The infrastructure required to produce and treat oil and, in several cases, natural gases must be strengthened. Rig welders play a crucial role in this. In addition to building pipes, Rig Welders also join metals to make beams, vessels, and pipelines and make sure that welding equipment is used, maintained, and stored correctly.
6. Land Acquisition Specialist – ($53,500-$100,000/year)
In the United States, the majority of Land Acquisition Specialist salaries currently fall between $53,500 and $100,000 annually. This wide range of prospective salaries implies that, based on skill level, region, and years of experience, there may be numerous prospects for growth and better income. According to recent job posts on ZipRecruiter, a few companies are looking for the position of land acquisition specialist in the United States.
7. Land Agent – ($47,000-$80,000/year)
A land agent bargains for property purchase for business use, such as purchasing the rights to a prospective oil well or a railroad’s right of way. They could be employed by a commercial business or by a government body. Finding viable locations, managing discussions for the use of water or highway rights for development, completing land surveys, and resolving any injury claims that surface throughout the building process is all additional responsibilities. They need to be aware of any environmental rules that might have an impact on their employer’s building plans, as well as legal agreements, real estate laws, and regulations.
8. Land Acquisition Analyst – ($56,500-$74,000/year)
Before a company makes a purchase, land acquisition experts create market analysis to evaluate property values. They track down leads for potential land purchases, gather data on market events and financial trends, and assess the benefits and costs of each potential investment. Other duties include doing title research, evaluating the legitimacy of seller demands, and obtaining data and information to aid their organization in the acquisition.
9. Tank Inspector – ($40,500-$52,500/year)
Tank inspectors check the safety of above or below-ground tanks used to contain hazardous compounds. It is considered one of thehigh-paying oil jobs with no experience in the oil industry. Your duties as a tank inspector may involve visually checking storage tanks and informing the holder of the tank or the appropriate authorities of your findings. “In other roles, you might guide how to properly maintain the condition of the tanks or make sure that the storage containers comply with all safety standards.
10. Well Tender – ($32,000-$47,000/year)
The upkeep and maintenance of gas wells are your primary duties as a Well Tender. Their job includes checking wells for functionality, changing pressure gauges & valves, and taking care of safety violations to guarantee optimal output levels. To work as a well tender, you are required to have a diploma or an equivalent but obtaining extra credentials through a certification program will help you build a career in the oil sector. To be successful in Well Tender employment, you need computer and math abilities as well as an understanding of the gas sector.
11. Tank Cleaner – ($28,500-$37,000/year)
You scrub and wash a tank’s interior as a tank cleaner. To make sure it is clean, you can drain and scrub it with a power washer, a broom, or another instrument. A tank is a container that can hold any bulk material in this application, including vats, chutes, kettles, and some lorries. You might have to work inside a container that had long held dangerous compounds in this capacity, so being able to put on and use the proper safety equipment is crucial.
Despite the resemblance in job titles, this position mustn’t be confused with professions that include cleaning military or fish tanks. This is one of the low-payingjobs in the oil industry, but far better than many others out there.
12. Petroleum geologist – ($83,765-$170,946/year)
The search for and discovery of gas and oil deposits within the ground is the responsibility of the petroleum geologist. They use geological data and get an understanding of the locations where firms should drill to discover oil and gas. Finding the best spots for their drilling crew is a major duty. Being among the most crucial positions in the division, it is well compensated. Petroleum geologist jobs are about the best paying jobs in oil & gas production industries.
13. Mechanical Engineer – ($72,000/year)
One of the highest paying positions in this sector is the position of a mechanical engineer. Nearly every industrial sector needs mechanical engineers. They are in charge of handling the machinery that is designated for that particular industry. In the oil sector, mechanical engineers are in charge of designing, developing, maintaining, and installing machinery and equipment used in the extraction of oil and gas. Safety, reliability, quality, and sustainability are the main priorities.
14. Production Engineer – ($74,100/year)
People love this position since it is one of the average-paying ones in the oil production sector. In the oil sector, a production engineer is in charge of efficiently developing and thoughtfully choosing sound equipment and related apparatus to realize production following the drilling operation. A production engineer keeps an eye on the well as it flows to make sure it is effective enough and still has commercial value. Jobs in the oil industry are still paying more than the average American.
15. Project Manager – ($92,800)
The project manager position is one of the careers in oil and gas industry every young professional will want to build for him/herself. The position is crucial in the oil sector. An industry-based project’s whole lifecycle is the responsibility of the project manager. The duties include overseeing the finances, upholding the safety regulations, and developing the specifications. Assuring proper communication amongst the many parties working on a project is another responsibility.
If you’re preparing for a project manager position you should check out these most common interview questions and answers for project managers.
How To Find High-Paying Jobs in The Oil and Gas Production Industry
Most people are seeking high-paying oil jobs with no experience. You’ve already read about the abundance of jobs in the oil production industry. Now, let me give you a few tips that will make it much easier for you to land a wonderful job in this sector.
- Do not be intimidated; with the required skills, you may work in this field regardless of your experience and obtain a terrific position.
- Discover your interests by speaking with a career advisor while you are yet to graduate.
- Gaining experience is important in this sector, whether it be a week of work experience, an internship, or an apprenticeship.
- One of the most crucial things is to study STEM courses and earn an engineering undergraduate degree.
- To help you make the most of the sector, find a mentor in the oil industry.
After going over all of these crucial factors, it’s time to land a fantastic job. Fortunately, you may browse and apply for the highest-paid positions in the oil industry on a variety of websites. For people looking for work in the oil & gas production industry, you can explore websites like Oil and Gas Job search, Oil search, and OilJobFinder. Alternatively, you can look for oil field employment on other internet job search engines like Simplyhired or LinkedIn.
The benefits and drawbacks of working in the oil industry
Benefits
- Travel possibilities – Oil and gas professionals must travel from one project area to another since oil production projects are carried out on a global scale.
- Excellent Pay – Geoscientists, petroleum engineers, drilling engineers, pipeline operators, field engineers, and other technical workers are in high demand, hence their pay is very high.
- Fascinating, insightful, and brainstorming work – If you enjoy coming up with ideas and solving problems on your own, think about working in the oil sector.
Drawbacks
- Disappointment and stress – Oil and gas occupations can be stressful. Because drilling operations always go on around-the-clock, you might even have to work nights. It can be difficult to spend long hours in a challenging atmosphere while being away from your loved ones.
- Health issues – Workers in the oil industry take a lot of risks; for example, individuals who spend a lot of time in refineries may be exposed to toxic chemicals.
- The gap between families – The fact that oil and gas jobs take workers away from their families creates a very wide gap between the workers and their families. They are well-loved by their families, but only know very little of what is happening around their families. And in some cases, most oil and gas workers’ spouses end up and find comfort in the hands of strangers.
Best Places for Oil and Gas Workers To Live
Are you an oil and gas worker and wondering where in the world can be the best place for you to live?
Living in an area with a greater likelihood of gas and oil research, transportation, production, technology, refining, and innovations may be advantageous in this situation.
Let’s look at some of the top locations for oil and gas professionals:
- (Denver) – In the US
- (Calgary) – In Canada
- (Dubai) – In the United Arab Emirates
- (Rio de Janeiro) – In Brazil
- (Kuala Lumpur) – In Malaysia
- (Cairo) – In Egypt
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What is the highest-paying job in the oil industry?
The highest-paid job in the oil sector is that of a petroleum geologist. Petroleum geologists make an average salary of roughly $160,000 per year. Deep inside the earth, petroleum geologists search for and discover oil and gas deposits.
02. Is oil & gas production a good career path?
Yes, this industry is diverse in how they run, offering a range of chances and rewards to those who meet the necessary educational criteria and possess the required professional skills. Due to several factors, including the degree of education necessary, this industry typically pays more than the average wage. However, additional incentives, such as lucrative financial bonuses, will be a consideration and may increase the appeal of remote employment to potential employees.
03. Why do oil and gas pay so well?
Simple! It is because of the booming energy production in the USA. According to a report, the shale revolution was partially to blame for the tight labor market that led to high pay. While the two highest-paying oil and gas corporations increased their median salaries by 15% between 2017 and 2018, U.S. oil output rose by 17% during that same period.
04. Is it hard to get a job in the oil field?
Building a career in the oil industry is not necessarily tough. The cyclical nature of this industry’s activities is influenced by fluctuating oil prices. As prices begin to rise, output increases, drilling increases, and finally, exploration increases.
The hiring process follows the same pattern. In the same way, people start to lose their jobs when prices fall.
05. Which oil and gas company pays the most?
There are tons of oil and gas companies across the globe, but the highest-paying oil and gas companies are not easy to find. However, Exxon Mobil is regarded as the world’s largest publicly traded oil and gas producer. The business is well renowned for possessing the sector’s largest stock of worldwide oil & gas resources. It is also considered the biggest marketer and refiner of petroleum-based products in the world.
Conclusion
The oil industries are diversified in their operations, offering a variety of opportunities and advantages to those with the necessary educational credentials and professional skills. So, if you are looking for the best-paying jobs in oil & gas production, I must admit that there isn’t a definitive response to this query; it all relies on you. I advise you to pay attention to the aforementioned text and discover all the information on the highest-paying careers in the oil industry to see what suits your interests.
