Jobs Similar to Roustabouts (Oil and Gas)
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to roustabouts (oil and gas), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Helpers--Extraction Workers, Pile Driver Operators and Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners.
Roustabouts (Oil and Gas): $46,960 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Helpers--Extraction Workers
82% similar · $47,730 (+2%) · High school · Same group
- 2Pile Driver Operators
81% similar · $73,300 (+56%) · High school
- 3Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
80% similar · $49,880 (+6%) · High school
- 4Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
80% similar · $57,430 (+22%) · High school · Same group
- 5Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
80% similar · $61,290 (+31%) · High school
- 6Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
80% similar · $70,070 (+49%) · High school
- 7Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
80% similar · $53,710 (+14%) · High school
- 8Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
80% similar · $42,660 (−9%) · High school
- 9Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
79% similar · $58,620 (+25%) · High school · Same group
- 10Automotive Body and Related Repairers
79% similar · $54,890 (+17%) · High school
- 11Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
79% similar · $59,850 (+27%) · High school
- 12Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $46,170 (−2%) · High school
- 13Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
78% similar · $53,340 (+14%) · High school
- 14Hoist and Winch Operators
78% similar · $56,450 (+20%) · High school
- 15Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
78% similar · $58,160 (+24%) · High school · Same group
- 16Rail Car Repairers
78% similar · $67,530 (+44%) · High school
- 17Floor Sanders and Finishers
78% similar · $50,440 (+7%) · High school
- 18Riggers
78% similar · $62,640 (+33%) · High school
- 19Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
78% similar · $46,330 (−1%) · High school
- 20Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
78% similar · $54,430 (+16%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than roustabouts (oil and gas).
- Pile Driver Operators81% similar · $73,300 (+56%)
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators80% similar · $70,070 (+49%)
- Rail Car Repairers78% similar · $67,530 (+44%)
- Riggers78% similar · $62,640 (+33%)
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons80% similar · $61,290 (+31%)
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators79% similar · $59,850 (+27%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for roustabouts (oil and gas) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where roustabouts (oil and gas) is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (84)
- Hoist and Winch Operators (81)
- Logging Equipment Operators (81)
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators (81)
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners (81)
- Dredge Operators (80)
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand (80)
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (79)
- Floor Sanders and Finishers (78)
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers (78)
Questions about jobs like roustabouts (oil and gas)
What jobs are most similar to roustabouts (oil and gas)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Helpers--Extraction Workers (82% similar), Pile Driver Operators (81% similar), Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (80% similar), Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators (80% similar) and Refractory Materials Repairers (80% similar).
Which jobs like roustabouts (oil and gas) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Pile Driver Operators ($73,300, +56%; usually a high school diploma), Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators ($70,070, +49%; usually a high school diploma) and Rail Car Repairers ($67,530, +44%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with roustabouts (oil and gas) ($46,960). Without more preparation than roustabouts (oil and gas) usually need: Pile Driver Operators, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators and Rail Car Repairers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.