The highest paid job on an oil rig is the Offshore Installation Manager (OIM), also known as the rig superintendent. OIMs are responsible for the entire operation of an offshore platform, including safety, crew management, and production. Annual salaries typically range from $150,000 to over $250,000 depending on location, experience, and the type of rig. If you are thinking about a career in offshore jobs, knowing where the top roles sit helps you plan your path.
What is the highest paid job on an oil rig?
The Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) is the highest paid job on an oil rig. The OIM holds overall responsibility for every person and every operation on the platform. This is the top of the offshore hierarchy, and the salary reflects that level of accountability. Experienced OIMs working on deepwater or high-complexity rigs regularly earn above $200,000 per year.
Below the OIM, several other roles also command very strong salaries. Here is a quick overview of the top-earning positions:
- Offshore Installation Manager (OIM): $150,000 to $250,000+
- Toolpusher / Drilling Superintendent: $120,000 to $200,000
- Company Man (Operator Representative): $130,000 to $190,000
- Driller: $80,000 to $140,000
- Subsea Engineer: $90,000 to $150,000
- Petroleum Engineer (offshore): $100,000 to $160,000
Salaries vary significantly based on the region you work in, the operator you work for, and whether you are on a contract or permanent basis. Roles in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, and the Middle East tend to pay at the higher end of these ranges.
How much do oil rig workers earn on average?
The average oil rig worker earns between $50,000 and $100,000 per year, though this varies widely by role, experience, and location. Entry-level positions such as roustabouts and roughnecks typically start around $40,000 to $60,000, while mid-level technical roles like drillers and engineers sit comfortably in the $80,000 to $130,000 range.
One factor that makes offshore pay attractive is the rotation schedule. Most offshore workers work a set number of weeks on and then take an equal number of weeks off, for example 28 days on and 28 days off. This means your effective hourly rate is higher than it looks on paper, because you are working intensively during your rotation and then have extended time at home without using paid leave.
Benefits such as free accommodation, meals, and transport to and from the rig also add real value on top of the base salary.
What qualifications do you need for the highest paying oil rig jobs?
The highest paying oil rig jobs require a combination of formal qualifications, industry certifications, and hands-on experience. There is no shortcut to the top roles, but the path is well-defined. Most senior offshore positions require a relevant degree in engineering, geoscience, or a technical discipline, combined with years of progressive experience on the rig floor or in operations.
Regardless of your role, certain safety certifications are non-negotiable for anyone working offshore:
- BOSIET or FOET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training)
- HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training)
- First Aid certification
- H2S Awareness
- OPITO-approved courses (for North Sea operations in particular)
For senior roles like OIM or Toolpusher, operators will also expect a track record of progressive responsibility, leadership experience, and often specific well control certifications such as IWCF or IADC WellCAP. We screen every candidate against QHSE requirements and international safety standards before any placement, because these are not optional extras, they are the baseline.
What’s the difference between a driller and a toolpusher on an oil rig?
A driller operates the drilling equipment and directly supervises the drill floor crew during a single shift. A toolpusher (also called a rig superintendent) oversees the entire drilling operation across all shifts, manages the drillers, and is accountable to the operator and the OIM. The toolpusher is senior to the driller and earns considerably more.
Think of it this way: the driller is hands-on with the equipment and crew during their shift, while the toolpusher takes the broader operational and technical view. A toolpusher is typically someone who has worked as a driller for several years and moved up. Both roles are well-paid and in strong demand across the industries we work in, including oil and gas, renewables, and offshore civil projects.
Which types of oil rigs offer the highest salaries?
Deepwater and ultra-deepwater rigs generally offer the highest salaries in the offshore sector. These rigs operate in technically demanding environments, require highly specialised crews, and carry greater operational risk, all of which pushes compensation upward. Drillships and semi-submersibles working in deepwater locations such as the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Brazil, or West Africa are typically at the top of the pay scale.
Here is a general comparison by rig type:
- Drillships (deepwater): Highest salaries, most technically complex
- Semi-submersibles: High salaries, used in harsh environments like the North Sea
- Jack-up rigs: Strong salaries, common in shallower waters
- Fixed platforms: Competitive pay, often in mature production fields
- FPSOs (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading): Strong pay, long-term assignments
Location matters as much as rig type. The North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Middle East consistently offer some of the most competitive packages for offshore jobs globally.
How do you get started in a career on an oil rig?
Getting started on an oil rig typically means applying for an entry-level position such as roustabout or roughneck, completing your mandatory safety training, and building experience from the ground up. You do not need an engineering degree to get your first offshore job, but you do need the right safety certifications and a willingness to work in a physically demanding environment.
Here are the practical steps to get started:
- Complete your BOSIET or FOET safety training – this is required before you can set foot on an offshore installation
- Get your medical certificate – an offshore medical (such as OGUK in the UK) confirms you are fit to work offshore
- Apply for entry-level roles – roustabout, floorhand, or deckhand positions are the typical starting point
- Build your experience on the rig floor – progression in offshore is largely based on time, competence, and certifications
- Work with a specialist recruitment agency – agencies with deep industry knowledge and an active network of operators will help you find the right openings faster
With more than 35 years of experience placing professionals across the oil and gas, maritime, and renewables sectors, we have helped thousands of candidates take that first step and progress through the ranks.
How iPS Powerful People helps you land the right offshore job
Whether you are just starting out or looking to move into a senior role, we connect you with the right opportunities in the offshore and oil and gas sector. Here is what working with us looks like in practice:
- Access to a global network of vacancies across oil and gas, maritime, renewables, and civil projects
- Guidance on required certifications and qualifications so you know exactly what you need before you apply
- International payroll and contract support, including A1 certificates and full compliance, so you can work abroad without worrying about the paperwork
- Offices in the Netherlands, the Baltic States, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Dubai, and the US, meaning we understand local markets and regulations wherever you want to work
- Screening against QHSE and international safety standards for every placement, so both you and the client can work with confidence
We place professionals at every level, from entry-level deck crew to Offshore Installation Managers. Find out more about who we are and how we work, or get in touch with our team to talk about your next offshore role.