Best Entry Level Opportunities
Some of the best entry level gas and oil jobs on an offshore rig are those of the roustabout and painter. These jobs are typically the positions that new hires find themselves in. To qualify for such an entry level position you need only a high school diploma. The specific oil company to which you apply may require that you have work experience but that experience does not usually have to be in the oil industry.
As a roustabout, however, you'll start about making around $54,000 depending on the company you're working for. A roustabout is responsible for maintenance as well as guiding crane loads on deck. Painter jobs on an offshore oil rig are just that-- jobs that work under the direction of the painting department on deck. Painters have a comparable salary to roustabouts and usually start out at around $45,000.
Best Management Opportunities
Oil and gas jobs and careers such as those of the Tool Pusher and Offshore Installation Manager are two other positions that many people can work towards during a career in the oil industry. A Tool Pusher's responsibilities involves filling out a lot of typical management paperwork, ordering supplies when needed and making sure that those requests are accurately filled by working with the suppliers. Before one can work as a Tool Pusher in the oil industry, he or she will need experience as a subordinate most often as a Driller. The salary for a Tool Pusher usually starts out at just over $105,000.
The Offshore Installation Manager is one of the other prominent jobs and these usually pay around $150,000 starting out. An Offshore Installation Manager is referred to as the "man in charge," and as such is seen as the highest authority on board. This person takes care of the entire crew, acts as a safety manager and also settles disputes among co-workers on the rig when disagreements occur. The Offshore Installation Manager will need some years of experience on the rig working as a Driller, Tool Pusher, or other position where he has a great deal of responsibility.
There are many other oil and gas jobs available on offshore oil rigs and some of the best entry-level as well as management opportunities include the Roustabout, Painter, Tool Pusher, and Offshore Installation Manager. Other common offshore oil rig positions, which are considered the best gas and oil jobs in the industry, include that of the Control Room Operator, Driller, Radio Operator, and Barge Engineer. There are also numerous catering and cooking positions on oil rigs. As you can see, though, the best oil jobs typically exist within the realm of an offshore oil rig where the work and even salaries can be rewarding.
