by Oil and gas industry remains a lucrative sector for those seeking high paying career opportunities. The advancements in technology and ongoing demand for energy resources made the industry continue to attract professionals from various backgrounds. We explored some of the best paying positions, highlighting the roles, the salaries, and required qualifications.
How is oil and gas production job lucrative
Jobs in oil and gas production are well paid because of the demand for skilled workers. These workers manage challenging tasks, focus on safety, and improve extraction techniques. Their specialized skills and experience are rewarded with attractive salaries.
Which jobs in oil and gas pays the best salary
Chief operating officer (COO)
The average salary for this position is around $832,181 per year. Your role as the COO will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, making sure of efficiency and profitability. This role often involves strategic planning, coordinating various departments, implementing company policies, etc.
To qualify for this role, you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration or a similar field. Additionally, you should have a good experience in managerial roles too, within the oil and gas industry.
Chief financial officer (CFO)
Average salary is about $439,441 per year. Your role as the CFO will be to oversee the company’s financial operations. This includes monitoring cash flow and developing financial strategies. You will also assess strengths and weaknesses to recommend improvements.
To become eligible for this position requires a bachelor, or master’s degree in financing. Or degree in accounting, or even a similar field. A notable experience in financial management within the energy industry is also required of you.
Subsea engineer
The pay for a subsea engineer is approximately $300,000 per year. Your role involves focusing on designing and installing equipment for underwater oil and gas extraction. As a subsea engineer, you are responsible for making sure of the safety and efficiency of underwater operations.
Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Ideally, it should be in Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering. Note: Experience in offshore drilling and underwater operations is very important.
Directional driller
The average salary is $150,000–$300,000+ per year. As a directional driller, you need to specialize in drilling wells at various angles. You must not drill just straight down. This is necessary to reach oil reserves in challenging areas. The qualifications for a directional driller include a technical diploma or a degree in Drilling Engineering. A wide-range field experience in drilling operations is also required for this position.
Petroleum engineer
To become a petroleum engineer, you should be expecting an average salary of around $100,000–$200,000 per year. Your role as a petroleum engineer is to create techniques to extract oil and gas from underground reserves. You will also be responsible for designing of tools and creating systems to improve extraction.
To qualify for this role, you need a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. If you have a degree in a related field, it is also acceptable for the role. A strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are also important too.
Petroleum geologist
The salary pays for a petroleum geologist, is approximately $100,000 annually. As a petroleum geologists, you are involved in discovering and producing oil and natural gas deposits. You will use advanced technology and software to analyze potential reservoirs. To qualify for this position, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in Geology or a similar discipline. You must also have skill in interpreting geological data.
Gas plant operator
Gas plant operators get an average salary of $54,342 per year. To work on this position, your role is to manage the processing and distribution of gas for utility companies. You will handle compressors to control pipeline pressure and make safe gas delivery. To qualify for this position, you need a high school diploma or GED certification. On-the-job training is also required too.
Well tester
As a well tester, you will typically earn an average salary of around $77,211 annually. Your role will be to evaluate oil pipelines during construction to find stability and any potential risks. You will use specialized tools and data for these assessments. To qualify, a high school diploma or GED, along with onsite training and experience in well testing procedures is required.
Chemical engineer
Average salary is $93,265 per year. As a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry, you will develop processes. These processes transform crude oil and natural gas into usable products. You will be responsible for improving these processes, and will focus on making operations efficient, safe, and eco-friendly too.
To qualify for this role, you need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. A solid understanding of chemistry, and a process engineering. These are all important.
How can I pursue a career in oil and gas field
Start by obtaining the necessary education and practical experience for this career. Some roles need specific degrees like, engineering or geology, while others focus on hands-on training.
Meanwhile, building connections within the industry can provide valuable knowledge and create new opportunities for you. There is always an ongoing demand for skilled professionals due to the advancement in technology too.
