It is important to take all aspects of seasonal work on an oil rig into consideration before applying. The oil industry requires a plethora of certifications yet does not always offer the pay rate some individuals expect for such dangerous employment.
Employment in the Oil Industry
Individuals hoping to find seasonal employment offshore may be disappointed. Although legitimate opportunities exist, finding them can sometimes prove difficult. Relevant work experience is a must and can range from prior work in construction to previous employment as a welder, miner, engineer, or heavy equipment operator.
Although on the job training is a certainty for those hired to jobs on offshore oil rigs, additional certifications help and are occasionally required. Common certification requirements are:
- Certificate in First Aid Training
- WHMIS Certification
- TDG Certification
- H2S Alive Certification
Anyone searching the internet for how to find seasonal employment on an offshore oil rig is almost certain to stumble upon websites that offer to find open positions in the oil industry for consumers. These services usually come with a fee and do not guarantee either job openings or employment. Consumers who wish to procure oil rig employment have as much chance of finding valid employment on their own as they do using a service and should be wary of headhunters charging large fees to do for consumers what they can do for themselves.
The Pay Scale for Offshore Oil Rig Jobs
Many individuals look toward jobs in the oil industry on rigs as a way of procuring a high paying job that will allow them to work seasonally and live the remainder of the year on the proceeds. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. The pay rate for work on an oil rig is often exaggerated. Standard employees for U.S. drilling companies offshore can expect to make an average of $15 hourly – something many individuals could make while working simple construction or maintenance jobs closer to home. Even rig managers do not fare much better. An oil rig manager can expect to bring in around $42,000 yearly working for a U.S. oil company.
The exchange rate notwithstanding, however, Canadian companies pay much higher rates to offshore oil rig workers than U.S. companies. Alberta’s Employment and Immigration Department estimates that an oil rig manager can expect to earn between $175,000 and $250,000 a year for every 200 days that he or she spends working on an offshore oil rig.
The pay scale for oil industry work in both the U.S. and Canada varies by position.
Risks Involved With Oil Rig Work
First aid certification is a requirement for almost all positions on an offshore oil rig for a reason: Injuries are imminent. Some of the potential injuries oil rig workers commonly face include:
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals
- Falls
- Burns
- Machinery related injuries
- Fatigue related injuries
- Extreme temperatures
- Explosions
- Inclement weather, hurricanes, and waterspouts
All employees will be thoroughly trained in company safety measures before being allowed to being work on an oil rig, but this does not prevent injuries and even deaths from occurring.
Considerations Concerning Seasonal Employment on an Offshore Oil Rig
The risks of offshore oil rig work are not limited to physical injury. Because of the job’s location, workers are left unable to pay mortgage bills, car payments, and other recurring bills. It is imperative that offshore oil workers find a trustworthy individual back home to manage their finances before leaving for seasonal employment on an oil rig.
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