Derrick Operator
Work high in the drilling rig handling pipe and managing drilling mud.
- $58,620
- Under 5 years of rig experience
Energy & Utilities career
Roustabout
Also called: Oilfield Laborer · Floorhand Helper · Lease Hand · Production Roustabout
What roustabouts do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a roustabout do?
Roustabouts in oil and gas assemble and repair oilfield equipment, clean work areas, dig trenches, lay pipe and do the general labor that keeps well sites running. The median pay is $46,960 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 months, and employment is projected to grow +3.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$46,960$22.58/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.6%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year4,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to train1–3 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs45,500Employment, 2025
What roustabouts do
Roustabouts are the all-around crew members of the oilfield. They assemble and repair pipelines, tanks and pumping units, clean and paint equipment, dig and backfill trenches, move materials with trucks and forklifts, unload supplies and help drilling and production crews with whatever needs doing.
No formal education is required, and training happens on the job with safety courses. The work is physical, often in remote areas and harsh weather, and it is the classic entry point into oil and gas careers.
Typical duties
- Assemble and repair oilfield equipment
- Lay and repair pipelines
- Dig and backfill trenches
- Clean tanks and equipment
- Load and unload materials
- Operate forklifts and trucks
- Help drilling and production crews
Work environment and schedule
Roustabouts work outdoors at well sites, tank batteries and yards, often in remote areas and harsh weather.
Schedule: Shifts can be long, sometimes in rotations such as two weeks on and one week off.
A day in the life
- Meet the crew at the yard for a safety meeting.
- Drive to a well site.
- Replace a section of flowline.
- Dig a trench for a new line.
See a full day in the life of a roustabout →
Roustabout salary
Half of roustabouts earned more than $46,960 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,420 for the lowest 10% to $64,530 for the top 10%.
Full roustabout pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a roustabout
- Get safety orientation
- Get hired on a crew
- Learn equipment
- Earn licenses
- Advance
No formal education is required. Roustabouts learn on the job and complete safety training.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a roustabout →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Pipefitting basics
- Rigging
- Equipment maintenance
- Forklift operation
- Hand and power tools
People skills
- Stamina
- Teamwork
- Reliability
- Safety awareness
All roustabout skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No experience needed
- Overtime pay
- Entry to oil and gas careers
- Rotation schedules give time off
Cons
- Hard physical labor
- Remote locations
- Boom-and-bust industry cycles
- Weather and hazards
Certifications and licenses
- SafeLand USA: Basic oil and gas safety orientation.
- H2S Clear: Hydrogen sulfide safety training.
- Forklift certification: Equipment operation.
- CDL: For driving larger trucks.
Career path
- Roustabout: General labor.
- Floorhand or Operator: Join drilling or service crews.
- Crew Lead: Lead crews.
- Field Supervisor: Manage operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Roustabout training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as make up a threaded pipe joint and complete a job safety analysis, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Oilfield Service Operator
Run the equipment that completes, services and repairs oil and gas wells.
- $58,160
- 1–2 years on the job
Construction Laborer
Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
- $47,120
- Days to weeks (on the job)
Wellhead Pumper
Keep oil and gas wells producing by checking and adjusting pumps and equipment.
- $69,960
- Under 5 years of experience
Compare: Roustabout vs. Derrick Operator · Roustabout vs. Oilfield Service Operator · Roustabout vs. Construction Laborer · Roustabout vs. Wellhead Pumper
Roustabout FAQ
Do roustabouts need experience?
No; most learn on the job.
Is oilfield work steady?
It follows oil prices, with booms and slowdowns.
What training is required?
Safety courses such as SafeLand and H2S.
How much does a roustabout make?
The median annual wage for roustabouts was $46,960 ($22.58 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,420 and the highest 10% earned more than $64,530.
How long does it take to become a roustabout?
Most people need about 1–3 months of training. No formal education is required. Roustabouts learn on the job and complete safety training.
Do you need a degree to be a roustabout?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-5071 (Roustabouts, oil and gas).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Roustabouts, oil and gas (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.