Roustabout
A roustabout is an entry-level worker in the oil and gas industry, primarily responsible for performing physically demanding support tasks on oil rigs. Their duties include assembling, repairing, and maintaining heavy machinery, as well as handling equipment and materials necessary for drilling operations. Roustabouts often work outdoors, whether on land, in freshwater, or offshore, facing various environmental hazards such as rough weather and heavy machinery. The role requires good physical fitness and the ability to work in potentially hazardous conditions, which may not suit everyone.
Typically, roustabouts work long shifts that can last several weeks, often in remote locations where they may need to live on-site. Educational requirements generally include a high school diploma, while vocational training in mechanics or oil rig operations can enhance job prospects. The median yearly earnings for a roustabout are approximately $47,730, with a strong job outlook, suggesting a demand for labor in this sector is expected to grow. Safety precautions are crucial in this role, as workers must wear protective gear and adhere to safety protocols to mitigate risks associated with their tasks.
Roustabout
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Architecture & Construction
Interests: Construction, welding, drilling processes, mechanics, manual labor
Earnings (Yearly Median): $47,730 annual, $22.95 hourly
Employment & Outlook: 15% or higher (Much faster than average)
Overview
Sphere of Work. Roustabouts work in the oil and gas industries, performing several physically demanding support jobs on oil rigs. Roustabouts assemble, repair, and maintain a broad range of heavy machinery. They use cranes and lifts to maneuver sections of oil rigs for assembly and disassembly and perform routine inspections and maintenance tasks. Demand for roustabouts varies depending on the needs of the oil and gas industries.
Work Environment. Roustabouts work on outdoor oil rigs on land, in freshwater bodies such as canals and lakes, or at sea, using various hand and power tools to perform their duties. They face many hazards due to weather and the heavy machinery used in the oil and gas industries. Offshore oil rigs can experience particularly hazardous weather conditions. Roustabouts experience a higher rate of nonfatal injuries.
Occupation Interest. Roustabouts commonly work shifts of eight to twelve hours in “hitches,” stints that can last several weeks to months. The demanding work schedule commonly attracts people without families or whose families can manage while they are away from home. A roustabout must be in good physical shape and willing to work in hazardous conditions. This can be an ideal position for an individual who does not want to work in an office.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Roustabouts perform an assortment of manual labor tasks, and each day is different. No matter the job, a roustabout must first put on safety gear, including a hard hat, goggles, and steel-toed boots. Typically, a job begins with inspecting equipment, structures, and other materials to ensure everything is running smoothly and there are no leaks. As they work, roustabouts must keep the job site clean of any debris, including oil that may have spilled.
Most of the job is spent handling and moving heavy objects such as sections of oil pipes and pump rods. Larger objects are moved using a crane or motorized lift. Some roustabouts may also help carry out drilling duties, which may include monitoring pressure gauges and the layers of material drilled. To move around the rig, roustabouts use narrow walkways, elevators, and harnesses. Offshore roustabouts may handle some cargo as it is brought on and off the rig.
While assembling and disassembling a rig, roustabouts work with motorized pulleys, cranes, and lifts to transport heavy pieces such as drills and pipes. Most of these materials are broken down and assembled in sections. A variety of hand tools and power tools are used to secure, fasten, and repair parts of the rig. A roustabout may also be required to dig ditches, lay foundations, and clear surrounding areas in preparation for a new site.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The work environment of a roustabout can vary based on the location of the oil rig. Rigs are commonly made up of narrow decks, rooms, and walkways, which may be slippery. They contain heavy drilling machinery, which is noisy. Fires and explosions are an ever-present hazard.
Human Environment. Roustabouts work as a team to ensure the machinery is assembled, maintained, and disassembled properly. Due to the hazardous nature of the job, constant communication between workers is essential. When a roustabout is assigned to a rig, they may have to live there until the hitch is over, so sharing living spaces may be required.
Technological Environment. Roustabouts work with a wide array of tools that range from small hand tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers to power tools such as drills. Heavy machines such as cranes and lifts are used for maneuvering pipes, drills, and other sections of the oil rig. Robotic, computerized, or automated equipment is becoming more common as well.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Employers may require a roustabout to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some basic high school courses, including basic mathematics, mechanics, and welding, can greatly benefit a potential roustabout. Some high schools offer automotive shop courses that provide a basic understanding of engine mechanics and hydraulics.
Postsecondary. Typically, roustabouts are not required to have college degrees. There are, however, several vocational or technical courses that could benefit a roustabout looking for employment.
Training schools for oil rig workers can give potential roustabouts a significant advantage in the job market. These entry-level courses last several weeks and teach students the skills and safety standards required for working on an oil rig. Some of these schools even have drills on-site and provide students with hands-on training. Training schools instruct students in assembling, repairing, and maintaining pipes. Other topics of study include the parts of a rig, safe equipment transportation procedures, and the drilling process. To be accepted into most roustabout schools, applicants must pass a drug and alcohol test and be at least eighteen.
Related Occupations
− Freight, Stock & Material Mover
Bibliography
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 47-5071 Roustabouts, Oil and Gas." Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes475071.htm. Accessed 24 Aug. 2024.