Wage Expectations

Now is the time to get quality training and start on your strategic plan, to develop a career in The Oil & Gas Drilling Industry. Potential earnings for an individual starting out in this dynamic industry, can range from Canadian $70,000 to $100,000 in Canada or  $62,000 to 85,000 in the United States per year and may vary by each drilling contractor. This can all be possible once you have successfully completed your industry and safety training recommended in the Pre Employment Floorman (Roughneck) training program.

Wages for Drilling Safety/Manager Program can expect a pay rate of US $60,000.00 to US $125,000.00 annually.

After time is spent in the industry continued professional development training is recommended.

The Drilling Technology training program will help you acquire the knowledge and management skills to advance further in your career. This program will prepare you to operate in a safe and efficient manner with respect for personnel, equipment and protection of our environment.

(CAODC) 2008 Recommended Wage Rates:

The following is the recommended Canadian hourly wage schedule by CAODC Canadian Association of Drilling Contractors as of October 1, 2008.

(CAODC) 2004 Recommended Wage Rates
(based on land rigs working an 84 hour work week)

Job Title Rate (Approx)
Driller $42.00 /hr or $4320.00/wk
Asst. Driller $36.50 /hr or $3796.00/wk
Derrickhand $35.50 /hr or $3692.00/wk
Motorhand $30.50 /hr or $3172.00/wk
Floorhand $28.00 /hr or $2912.00/wk
Leasehand $26.00 /hr or $2704.00/wk
 

* Subsistence rates of pay are under review and will change in the very near future.*

The normal rotation working land rigs in Alberta is two weeks on and one week off. Employees can expect to work 12 hour days for a total of 84 hours a week. Hourly pay is based on 44 hours regular time and 40 hours overtime. In addition to normal pay employees who qualify for subsistence can expect to receive Camp pay of $50.00/day or $350.00/wk and Non-Camp $140.00/day or $980.00/wk some of which is tax free*.

*Non-taxable if the individual is 80 kilometres from his principal residence, for at least 36 hours, and the rig is 30 kilometres or more from a city of at least 40,000 people.

Offshore starting rate for Roustabout is approximately $58,000 - 68,000 annually and Roughneck rate approximately $65,000 - 78,000 annually based on working equal time on and off rotation e.g. two weeks on and two weeks off. Those figures may be enhanced with bonuses normally offered by the drilling contractors and oil companies e.g. safety, production or both.

Benefits are normally very good working in both environments.

REMEMBER: "a good days work for a good days pay" and "accidents are preventable."