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Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $46,960/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$36,420$64,530

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +2.5% projected growth, 20242034 — about as fast as average.

About 4,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Critical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlSocial PerceptivenessRepairingActive ListeningEquipment Maintenance
Top knowledge areas
MechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingTransportationMathematicsEnglish LanguagePhysicsEducation and Training
Core tasks

Unscrew or tighten pipes, casing, tubing, and pump rods, using hand and power wrenches and tongs.

Dismantle and repair oil field machinery, boilers, and steam engine parts, using hand tools and power tools.

Guide cranes to move loads about decks.

Walk flow lines to locate leaks, using electronic detectors and by making visual inspections, and repair the leaks.

Lay gas and oil pipelines.

Bolt together pump and engine parts.

Move pipes to and from trucks, using truck winches and motorized lifts, or by hand.

Clean trucks used in the fields.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas?

The median pay for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas is $46,960 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas?

Employment for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas is projected to change +2.5% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas?

About 4,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.