Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

SOC code 47-5071 · O*NET-SOC 47-5071.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades

Roustabouts, Oil and Gas pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$46,960

a year

Hourly

$22.58

per hour

10th$36,420Median$46,96090th$64,530

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$49,200

$23.65 per hour

Middle 50%

$38,850 – $58,120

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$36,420 – $64,530

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

44,970

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $36,420; $17.51/hr
25th percentile: $38,850; $18.68/hr
Median percentile: $46,960; $22.58/hr
75th percentile: $58,120; $27.94/hr
90th percentile: $64,530; $31.03/hr

What do roustabouts, oil and gas do?

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

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.
Dig holes, set forms, and mix and pour concrete into forms to make foundations for wood or steel derricks.
Bolt together pump and engine parts.
Move pipes to and from trucks, using truck winches and motorized lifts, or by hand.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 64% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Less than a High School Diploma64%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)35%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0%

Common questions

How much does a roustabouts, oil and gas earn?

The national median is $46,960 a year. The full range runs from $36,420 at the 10th percentile to $64,530 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a roustabouts, oil and gas without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.1/5
Monitoring3.0/5
Active Listening2.9/5

Knowledge areas

Mechanical3.6/5
Customer and Personal Service3.1/5
Production and Processing2.5/5
Transportation2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Equipment Maintenance.