Last Updated on December 12, 2022
Are you looking for the best paying jobs in oil and gas production so as to venture or perhaps want to switch careers into this field, then this article is for you.
The most essential items in our everyday life, such as chemicals, clothing, transportation fuel, plastics, and even deodorants, are all made possible by oil and gas.
So, the oil and gas sector offers a wide range of opportunities since it needs more workers to locate and extract oil. Therefore, there is a great need for petroleum engineers, geoscientists, and laborers for jobs drilling, pipelines, and in refineries, among other positions.
According to statistics, the number of people working in the oil and gas industry increased from 127k in 2018 to 140k in 2019, expanding at a rate of 9.68%.
The production of oil and gas is a large industry and has a significant impact on global economic growth. For this reason, we’ve decided to come forth with the best paying jobs in oil and gas production for you knowing quite well that there are several job opportunities in the field.
As we proceed in this article, you’ll get to know the available and possible jobs to apply for in oil and gas production.
Let’s look at what oil and gas production is all about before we get to know the best jobs in the field.
Table of Contents
What is Oil and Gas Production?
The process of converting crude oil and natural gas from wells into usable petroleum products is known as oil and gas production.
In other terms, to produce oil and gas, a resource must be found, transported to a refinery, and transformed into a finished good that can be sold. Alternatively known as upstream, midstream, and downstream segments in the industry.
There are many different job opportunities in the oil and gas industry, despite the fact that it is a complex industry that requires a large number of laborers and technological advancements.
Best Paying Jobs in Oil and Gas Production
Whether you are a highly qualified individual or someone with a background in basic education, there is something for everyone here.
Let’s delve deeper into the top positions in oil and gas production.
1. Chemical Engineer
A chemical engineer earns an average salary of $93,600 annually.
One of the main duties of a chemical engineer is to make sure that the appropriate chemicals are used to convert crude oil into forms that may be used.
To transform raw petroleum deposits into useful goods, you would need to evaluate the volume and composition of the deposits.
A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a closely related subject is the minimum requirement for this position.
This is one of the jobs that many people long for.
2. Petroleum Engineer
One of the greatest high paying positions in this industry is petroleum engineering because of its critical involvement in the production of oil and gas.
A petroleum engineer’s main duties include working with experts to find natural reservoirs of petroleum deposits and extracting petroleum using methods that are both efficient and economical.
A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering is the minimum need for this position; however, some firms may also accept a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering.
A petroleum engineer earns an average salary of $113,666 annually.
3. Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers play a crucial role in oil and gas production by supervising the installation and maintenance of electrical apparatus.
To guarantee uninterrupted energy flow throughout the entire oil and gas production process, electrical engineers develop and maintain the electrical power infrastructure.
A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or a similar discipline is the minimum requirement for this position.
An electrical Engineer earns an average salary of $93,000 annually.
4. Geophysicist
By discovering and identifying oil and gas resources, geophysicists play a crucial part in the production of oil and gas. They conduct analysis and offer the ideal sites for drilling.
By detecting different anomalies and comprehending the subsurface’s resource potential, geophysicists evaluate and interpret physical fields during oil and gas exploration.
A degree in a field connected to geoscience is a prerequisite for this position.
A geophysicist earns an average salary of $223,510 annually.
5. Environmental, safety, and health Engineer
The management of environmental risks and effects in the oil and gas industry is crucial. Therefore, there is a great opportunity for environmental specialists to obtain well-paying positions in oil and gas production.
A specialist in this industry must adopt cutting-edge technology and come up with creative solutions to manage chemical and hazardous waste in order to keep carbon footprints to a minimum.
A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related discipline is the minimum requirement for this position.
An HSE engineer earns an average salary of $87,866 annually.
6. Mechanical Engineer
With an emphasis on safety, dependability, quality, and sustainability, mechanical engineers are responsible for supporting plant equipment and designing, developing, installing, and maintaining oil and gas processing equipment.
A graduate or postgraduate degree in mechanical engineering or technology is the minimum requirement for this position.
A mechanical engineer earns an average salary of $85,610 annually.
7. Project engineer
In order to complete projects safely and efficiently, project engineers are in charge of managing all general planning and execution tasks.
Working with multi-discipline engineering teams, project managers in the oil and gas sector must coordinate budgets, timelines, acquisitions, and construction operations.
Having a bachelor’s degree in a related field is one of the essential qualifications for this position.
A project engineer earns an average salary of $ 80,770 annually.
8. Sales Representative
Salespeople are essential for attracting clients and closing deals in any industry.
In the same way, sales agents in the oil and gas industry must bargain and complete deals with potential customers while coming up with clever marketing ideas.
A bachelor’s degree or a minimum of a high school diploma are the fundamental requirements for this position.
A sales representative earns an average salary of $71,630 annually.
9. Oceanographer
Surveying and predicting the physical status of the oceans for oil and gas exploitation is the primary responsibility of oceanographers.
The development of viable locations for oil and gas production must be overseen by experts in this field, who must also support the upkeep of the equipment and procedures used in operations.
A bachelor’s degree in oceanography or a closely related discipline is the minimum qualification for this position.
An oceanographer earns an average salary of $66,950 annually.
10. Technical writer
Technical writing is crucial to the oil and gas industry’s ability to compile complex information for technical reports and realistic requirements.
To interact with non-technical readers, experts in this subject must create value-added guides and manuals. The articles focus on project reports, analyses, and conclusions that can be used to make decisions.
A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or communications is the minimum prerequisite for this position.
A technical writer earns an average salary of $61,870 annually.
Conclusion
Due to the variety of responsibilities and the high pay package compared to other jobs, getting a job in oil and gas production can be highly competitive.
So to get the top-paid jobs in oil & gas production, always do your homework on the job market while looking for new profiles or career changes.