Oil Operator Career Path

Love working outside? Are you not scared of dirt and mud? The oilfield has tons of reawrding careers for some of the hardest working people in the world!

Why Should You Consider This Career?

TYPICAL SALARY

$80k

That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck

CAREER OUTLOOK

Growing

That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)

Less Physical More Physical

—————|————

Less Training More Training

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More Structure Less Structure

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ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:

Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Floor Hand

Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.

At A Glance in US

2028 JOB GROWTH

398,000 (35%)

SALARY RANGE

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AVG. JOBS / YEAR

398,000 (35%)

TIME TO JOURNEYMAN

398,000 (35%)

ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:

Derrick Hand, Derrick Man, Derrick Operator, Derrick Worker, Floor Hand

Your Typical Day:

Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.

Wages in the US:

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33.7

Per Hour Base Income

$TBD

Total Compensation

Your Responsibilities

Inspect equipment or tools to be used in construction or excavation.
Maintain drilling equipment.
Clean equipment or facilities.
Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
Monitor extraction operations.
Operate pumps or compressors.
Train construction or extraction personnel.
Direct construction or extraction personnel.
Position construction or extraction equipment.

Knowledge You Will Learn

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 65/100

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 58/100

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 55/100

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 51/100

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 46/100

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. 44/100

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 42/100

Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 37/100

Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. 35/100

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. 35/100

Tools of the Trade

Mud mixers
Lifelines or lifeline equipment
Screwdrivers
Hoists
Mud manifolds
Drilling casings
Makeup tongs
Specialty wrenches
Two way radios
C clamps
Crown blocks
Blowout preventers
Pneumatic impact wrenches
Ladders
Oil field water oil centrifuges
Fire extinguishers
Hard hats
Mud agitators
Ratchets
Drill rig elevators
Mud cleaning equipment
Respirators
Scaffolding
Facial shields
Safety glasses
Mud tanks
Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
Viscosimeters
Triple beam balances
Jacks
Drill hoses
Safety harness winders
Surface data logging units
Blocks or pulleys
Gas detectors
Combination wrenches
Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessories
Drilling screens
Goggles
Pipe handling equipment
Lifting hooks
Spill kits
Ear plugs
Sledge hammer
Safety harnesses or belts
Ball peen hammer
Taglines
Drawworks
End cut pliers
Mud pumps
Winches
Shale shakers
Oil country thread protectors
Mud degassers
Forklifts
Adjustable wrenches
Personal computers
Pipe wrenches
Tablet computers

Helpful Career Links

International Association of Drilling Contractors
United Steelworkers

Oil Operator

Why Should You Consider This Career?

TYPICAL SALARY

CAREER OUTLOOK

Less Physical More Physical

Less Training More Training

More Structure Less Structure

ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:

At A Glance in US

2028 JOB GROWTH

SALARY RANGE

AVG. JOBS / YEAR

TIME TO JOURNEYMAN

ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:

Your Typical Day:

Wages in the US:

Your Responsibilities

Knowledge You Will Learn

Tools of the Trade

Helpful Career Links

Related Careers

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