Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
SOC: 47-5071 O*NET: 47-5071.00
Median Salary
$47,510
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
What does a Roustabouts, Oil and Gas do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,650
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,330
25th percentile
Median
$47,510
50th percentile
Experienced
$57,170
75th percentile
Top Earners
$64,010
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,650
25th
$38,330
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,510
Mean: $49,060
75th
$57,170
90th
$64,010
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,360 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,330 and $57,170
- •Salary spread is 39.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 45,330 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:46,000
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction88.4%
Support Activities for Mining77.4%
Support Activities for Mining77.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.5%
Annual Openings:4,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)46,000
Current
2034 (Projected)47,100
+2.5%
+1,100
Employment Change
+2.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Roustabouts, Oil and Gas professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 25 locations
Texas
23,800 jobs$46,1805.85x
New Mexico
3,320 jobs$48,57013.13x
Oklahoma
3,080 jobs$46,3506.19x
North Dakota
2,690 jobs$60,14021.55x
Louisiana
2,580 jobs$44,3904.60x
Colorado
1,690 jobs$48,3501.99x
Pennsylvania
1,600 jobs$49,2100.91x
Wyoming
1,560 jobs$47,02019.05x
Kansas
730 jobs$48,6801.74x
Ohio
650 jobs$55,4500.40x
Alaska
490 jobs$63,2305.19x
Utah
480 jobs$47,6800.96x
California
390 jobs$56,6900.07x
Illinois
390 jobs$43,6900.22x
Mississippi
340 jobs$44,9301.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Quality Control Analysis
88%
#3
Monitoring
76%
#4
Operations Monitoring
64%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
52%
#6
Operation and Control
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.4
88%
Monitoring
intermediate3.8
76%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.2
64%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.6
52%
Operation and Control
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance52%
abilities
2.6/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Fallers83%
5 shared skills
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians75%
5 shared skills
Pourers and Casters, Metal71%
5 shared skills
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood71%
5 shared skills
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic67%
5 shared skills
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)
1
Clean up spilled oil by bailing it into barrels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Unscrew or tighten pipes, casing, tubing, and pump rods, using hand and power wrenches and tongs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Bolt together pump and engine parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Move pipes to and from trucks, using truck winches and motorized lifts, or by hand.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Dismantle and repair oil field machinery, boilers, and steam engine parts, using hand tools and power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Dig drainage ditches around wells and storage tanks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Guide cranes to move loads about decks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Supply equipment to rig floors as requested and provide assistance to roughnecks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Dig holes, set forms, and mix and pour concrete into forms to make foundations for wood or steel derricks.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Cut down and remove trees and brush to clear drill sites, to reduce fire hazards, and to make way for roads to sites.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.99
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.0
Integrity
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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