Roustabouts (Oil and Gas)
O*NET title: Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
Also called: Casing Crew Pusher, Cathead Operator, Connection Worker, Derrick Hand, Drill Rig Operator, Dumper Bailer Operator
Median pay
$46,960
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,420 – $64,530
People employed
44,970
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 5.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Roustabouts (Oil and Gas) pay by state
Annual median pay by state (23 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What roustabouts (oil and gas) do
- 01Unscrew or tighten pipes, casing, tubing, and pump rods, using hand and power wrenches and tongs.
- 02Dismantle and repair oil field machinery, boilers, and steam engine parts, using hand tools and power tools.
- 03Guide cranes to move loads about decks.
- 04Walk flow lines to locate leaks, using electronic detectors and by making visual inspections, and repair the leaks.
- 05Lay gas and oil pipelines.
- 06Dig holes, set forms, and mix and pour concrete into forms to make foundations for wood or steel derricks.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- Transportation
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from roustabouts (oil and gas)
- Hoist and Winch Operators88% · +20%
- Riggers88% · +33%
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators86% · +27%
- Pile Driver Operators85% · +56%
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers84% · +14%
Change into roustabouts (oil and gas)
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners84% · $49,880
- Hoist and Winch Operators81% · $56,450
- Logging Equipment Operators81% · $49,740
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators81% · $53,340
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners81% · $50,960