How to Get a Job at an Oil Rig (Even With No Experience)

Oil rigs are known for long hours, tough conditions—and very good pay compared to many entry-level jobs. You don’t need a university degree to get started, but you do need:

The right basic qualifications
Serious physical fitness
Key safety training
A realistic understanding of the lifestyle

This guide focuses on entry-level rig jobs and how to break in, then work your way up.

1. What Kind of Oil Rig Jobs Are There?

There are two big worlds:

Land rigs – Drilling rigs located onshore
Offshore rigs – Platforms out at sea (North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, offshore Brazil, etc.)

Most people start in entry-level positions and climb the ladder.

Common Entry-Level Roles

Typical “start here” jobs include:

Roustabout – General labour on the rig (cleaning, painting, moving equipment, helping on deck)
Floorhand / Roughneck – Works directly on the drill floor handling pipe and tools
Utility / Deck crew / Seaman (offshore) – General deck work, cleaning, assisting crane operations
Scaffolder / Painter / General labour – Supporting maintenance and construction
Catering & housekeeping – Kitchen staff, cleaners (a quieter way to get offshore experience)

From there, you can move up to:

Derrickhand / Derrickman
Assistant Driller / Driller
Motorman / Mechanic / Electrician
Crane operator, logistics, or HSE (safety) roles

2. Basic Requirements to Work on a Rig

Exact requirements vary by country and company, but most entry-level rig jobs expect:

Age and Education

At least 18 years old
High school diploma / secondary school completion or GED for most roustabout / floorhand roles

Physical Fitness

Rig work is physically demanding:

Lifting 25–30 kg (50–60 lb) repeatedly
Climbing stairs and ladders
Working outdoors in heat, cold, wind, and rain
Long shifts (usually 12 hours a day for weeks at a time offshore)

Many employers require:

A pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol test
The ability to pass an offshore medical (for sea platforms – e.g., OGUK medical in the UK sector)

In some regions (like the North Sea), new weight limits are being introduced for safety reasons—workers above a certain fully clothed weight may not be allowed offshore because of helicopter and lifeboat rescue limits.

Work Schedule and Location

You must be okay with:

Rotational schedules – e.g., 14 days on / 14 off, 21/21, 28/28 offshore or in remote land camps
Being away from home for weeks
Night shifts and working in all weather

Other Common Requirements

Valid driver’s licence and reliable transport (especially for land rigs)
Legally allowed to work in the country (citizen, PR, or valid work permit)

3. Essential Safety Training and Certificates

For offshore work, you’ll almost always need specific safety certificates.

BOSIET: Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training

BOSIET is the standard introductory course for offshore oil and gas workers. It usually covers:

Offshore safety induction
Firefighting and self-rescue
Helicopter safety and emergency breathing systems
Sea survival and lifeboat/raft drills
Basic first aid and emergency response

It typically lasts 3–4 days, mixing classroom and practical training in a pool and simulated emergencies.

Most offshore employers treat BOSIET (or local equivalent) as mandatory before you can go offshore.

Offshore Medical and “Fit to Train”

You’ll generally need:

A valid offshore medical certificate (e.g., OGUK medical in UK waters)
In some regions, a “Fit to Train” certificate that clears you to use emergency breathing systems in BOSIET courses

Other Useful Safety Courses (Especially Onshore)

Depending on where you work, entry-level job ads commonly list:

H2S awareness / H2S Alive (hydrogen sulfide gas safety)
First Aid / CPR
General construction / industrial safety (e.g., CSTS, OSHA 10/30, WHMIS or local equivalents)

Important: Many big drilling contractors will pay for your training once they’ve hired you or give you a list of approved providers. Be wary of anyone demanding huge upfront fees in exchange for a “guaranteed job.”

4. Entry-Level Pathways: With and Without Experience

Option 1: Start on a Land Rig

Often the easiest way in is to start on onshore rigs:

Less upfront certification than offshore
Still good money and real rig experience
Common roles: floorhand, leasehand, roughneck, motorman

A typical path might be:

High school → basic safety course → floorhand on a land rig → gain 6–18 months’ experience → move offshore or up the ladder.

Option 2: Entry-Level Offshore Roles (Roustabout, Catering, etc.)

Some offshore drilling contractors and service companies advertise “no experience required” roles such as:

Roustabout
Floorhand (with onshore or industrial background)
Catering assistant / pot washer / cleaner
Utility or deckhand roles

You’ll still need:

Medical and safety prerequisites
To pass company fitness and drug testing
To be comfortable with living on a rig for weeks at a time

Recruiters and workers point out that it’s often easier to break in through land jobs first, then move offshore once you’ve proven you can handle the work and safety culture.

5. Where to Look for Oil Rig Jobs

Don’t only check the big oil companies; you want to target the drilling and service contractors who actually run the rigs.

A. Drilling Contractors & Service Companies

Examples (worldwide and in North America) include:

Offshore drilling contractors (e.g., Seadrill and similar operators)
Land drilling companies (e.g., Ensign, Savanna, Nabors, etc.)
Specialized service companies (wireline, cementing, mud logging, etc.)

Check their careers pages and search for:

“Roustabout”
“Floorhand”
“Roughneck”
“Drilling rig labourer”
“Offshore entry-level”

B. Specialist Oil & Gas Job Boards and Recruiters

Energy-focused job boards and recruiters regularly post:

Entry-level rig jobs
Rotational postings (14/14, 21/21, 28/28)
Short-term contracts to get experience

C. National / Regional Job Banks

In countries like Canada, national job portals list multiple “roustabout – offshore drilling rig” and similar roles with clear requirement breakdowns.

Search using terms like:

“oil and gas labourer”
“drilling rig worker”
“offshore roustabout”

6. How to Build a Rig-Friendly Resume (Even With No Experience)

You don’t need previous rig work, but your resume should scream reliable, tough, safety-minded.

Highlight the Right Experience

Good things to include:

Construction, warehouse, farming, or other heavy labour
Work in harsh weather or remote locations
Shift work, nights, or long hours
Any industrial or safety training you’ve done

If you have no industrial experience, emphasize:

Sports, military service, or physically demanding hobbies
Volunteering or jobs where you followed strict rules and procedures
Zero absences / perfect attendance records

Emphasize Safety and Teamwork

Rig employers care about:

Safety culture – you follow rules and speak up about hazards
Teamwork – you don’t disappear during the hard jobs
Attitude – you’re coachable and not a know-it-all

Use bullet points like:

“Worked 12-hour shifts in a warehouse environment while consistently following safety procedures and PPE rules.”
“Completed [First Aid / H2S / safety course] and applied safe work practices on the job.”

7. What the Lifestyle Is Really Like

Before you chase rig money, be honest with yourself about the downside.

Rotations and Hours

Typical offshore schedule: 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week, for 14–28 days straight
Then you go home for an equal time off (e.g., 14 off)
On land rigs, rotations can be similar or involve “hitch” patterns in remote camps

Living Conditions

Shared cabins, limited privacy
Strict rules (no alcohol, drugs, or weapons)
You can’t just go home if you’re tired of it—helicopter or boat schedules control movement
Food is usually good, but you eat what’s provided

Risks and Safety

Work is inherently hazardous: heavy equipment, high pressures, heights, chemicals, weather
That’s why there’s such a strong focus on training, PPE, and safety procedures

If you don’t like rules or hate PPE, rig life will be miserable—and dangerous.

8. How to Ace an Oil Rig Job Interview

Expect questions like:

“Why do you want to work on a rig?” (They’re filtering out people who are just chasing money with no idea what’s involved.)
“Tell me about a time you did hard physical work in tough conditions.”
“Describe a situation where you followed strict safety procedures.”
“Are you comfortable being away from home for several weeks at a time?”

Tips

Be honest about your lack of experience, but lean hard on your work ethic and fitness.
Show you’ve done your research—mention rotations, safety culture, and training.
Have specific examples of:
- Working long shifts
- Handling tough or boring tasks without complaining
- Following rules even when others cut corners

You can also ask them:

What the rotation is exactly
Whether they provide BOSIET and medical for new hires
What the promotion path looks like from roustabout or floorhand

9. Typical Career Progression on a Drilling Rig

If you stick it out and do well, you can move up quickly compared to many industries.

A common progression:

Roustabout / Leasehand (entry-level labour)
Floorhand / Roughneck (on the drill floor)
Derrickhand / Derrickman (working up the derrick, handling drilling fluid systems)
Assistant Driller
Driller
Toolpusher / Rig Manager

Or you can branch into:

Maintenance (mechanic, electrician)
Marine / crane operations
Safety (HSE)
Onshore coordinator roles once you have experience

10. Red Flags and Scams to Avoid

Because rig jobs pay well, they attract scammers.

Be careful of:

Anyone who guarantees you a job if you pay big money upfront
“Recruiters” asking for money or gift cards to process an application
Training centers that promise a job at the end without naming the employer

Legitimate companies will:

Have official websites and traceable job ads
Use normal recruitment processes (CV, interview, medical, training)
Pay you—not the other way around

Paying for reasonable safety courses from recognized providers is normal; paying thousands to a random “agent” is not.

11. Step-by-Step Action Plan

If you’re serious about getting onto a rig, here’s a practical roadmap:

Get your basics in order
- Finish high school (or equivalent)
- Get in good physical shape
- Make sure you can pass a drug test and background check
Decide: Land first or try offshore immediately?
- Land rigs = easier entry, great experience
- Offshore = bigger commitment, more certificates, more isolation
Research employers and regions
- Look up drilling contractors and service companies operating in your country or region
- Check their careers pages regularly
Build a rig-focused resume
- Emphasize physical work, safety, shift work, and reliability
- Add any safety courses (First Aid, H2S, etc.) you have
Apply broadly
- Roustabout, floorhand, drilling labourer, offshore utility, catering
- Use energy job boards, local job banks, and company websites
Handle interviews like a pro
- Be honest, show you understand the reality, stress your work ethic and willingness to learn
Once hired, take training seriously
- Treat BOSIET, medicals, and in-house training like exams you must pass
- Build a reputation as the person who works hard, shows up, and follows safety rules

Final Thoughts

Getting a job on an oil rig isn’t about being lucky—it’s about:

Meeting the basic age, education, fitness, and safety requirements
Being willing to work hard under tough conditions
Targeting the right companies and entry-level roles
Presenting yourself as reliable, safety-conscious, and coachable

If you put those pieces together, you’ve got a real shot at landing that first rig job—and using it as a launchpad to a high-paying, long-term career in the oil and gas industry.

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