What are the best jobs in the oilfield?
Sarah Garza
Updated on April 03, 2026
High-paying oil field jobs
- Gas plant operator.
- Well testers.
- Chemical engineer.
- Sales representative.
- Petroleum geologist.
- Vessel manager.
- HR adviser.
- Drilling engineer.
Which country is best for oil and gas jobs?
Here’s the rankings of the 21 most lucrative countries for oil and gas workers:
- Australia – $171,000.
- Philippines – $170,000.
- Trinidad & Tobago – $169,000.
- China – $161,000.
- Russia – $151,000.
- Denmark – $149,000.
- Indonesia – $146,000.
- Papua New Guinea – $146,000.
What degree is best for oil industry?
Petroleum engineering is a degree that’s highly sought by oil companies, as these grads typically have solid backgrounds in both math and science. The oil industry is also hiring chemical engineers, geologists, and mechanical engineers.
Does oil and gas industry pay well?
The average annual wage for oil and gas industry employees was $80,500. That’s nearly 60% more than the average annual wage for construction and industry workers ($44,221). It’s also $10,155 more than the $63,783 median household income in California.
Which city has the most oil?
Here are seven of the world’s most important oil cities.
- Aberdeen.
- Houston. The capital of the U.S. oil industry, Houston has seen unprecedented economic growth as high oil prices fuelled the shale oil and gas boom.
- Calgary.
- Rio de Janeiro.
- Williston.
- Stavanger.
- Abu Dhabi.
What kind of jobs are there in the oil and natural gas industry?
Careers in the oil and natural gas industry are diverse and vary in skill level and educational attainment. The industry, especially the Shale oil and Shale gas industry, is also growing rapidly meaning that employers are frequently in need of skilled men and women who can fill their positions.
How many people work in oil and gas industry?
The US crude oil, natural gas, and chemicals (OG&C) industry employs close to 1.5 million people and hires a global cadre of engineers and scientists to unlock the earth’s energy reserves. 1 It was on the strength of this cadre that US energy companies were able to shift the discussion from energy scarcity to energy security.
Is it possible to change career from oil and gas?
Unfortunately, the oilfield industry has taken a tumble, and in some areas, job losses are increasing. This oil and gas slow-down could, of course, impact the stability of other sectors. Losing your job or actively seeking to change your career can both be scary endeavors; however, they can also be seen as opportunities.
Are there any oil and gas jobs in Texas?
If you’re looking to make some cash in oil & gas jobs, you won’t have to look far. The oil industry is having a heck of a time recruiting a skilled workforce, and ExxonMobil, Phillips66, and Anadarko—all Texas based—have been more than willing to pony up the cash.