Getting Yourself Hired as An Offshore Roustabout

The true entry-level jobs on an oil rig are Roustabout jobs. The roustabout jobs are normally classified into semi skill or unskilled manual laborer. This position form an indespensible role in any part of the oil rig’s operation. Their working hours are undoubtfully long, working hours can be 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for 2 to 3 weeks at a stretch. And without a doubt they work long, hard hours day after day, in often difficult conditions. High or very low temperatures. Wind. Rain. Snow.
Working as a roustabout is back-breaking and dirty – you do everything from cleaning and painting the oil rig to mixing the drilling mud and even moving supplies and equipment around the oil rig. On the other hand, practically everyone who matters on board the oil rig starts out as a roustabout, so you have no right to complain.
For English-speaking workers, there are three main places which hire people for roustabout jobs – Canada, US and UK. Alberta in Canada is still short of people, so it is easiest to get hired there. As long as you are tough enough and show the right attitude, many companies will be willing to pay for any courses or certifications which are required.
At the moment, it is also fairly easy to get offshore roustabout jobs in the US, especially in the Gulf Coast region. In some places, it is as simple as showing up at the temp agency. As in Canada, many companies badly need workers and are willing to pay for any training and certifications required. As a rough guide, your employer will send you to get your in offshore medical certificate, offshore survival certificate and helicopter underwater escape training certificate before you even set foot on the oil rig. After that will probably be a 2 or 3 week course induction course on your duties aboard the oil rig.
UK residents have it tougher. Most employers want you to show your BOSIET offshore survival training certificate, offshore medical certificate, and what the Brits call a GreenHand course. All told, taking getting all of these could set you back 3500 pounds, depending on where you take these course, and there is no guarantee of a job. The offshore scene there is surprisingly small – you really need to know the right people. Most of the jobs are off Aberdeen, so if you live elsewhere you really do not have a chance at all. For new hires without connections, the ex-armed forces personnel find it easiest to break in. British servicemen have a kind of skills conversion course which helps them get offshore oil jobs. Frankly, UK residents who want to break into the oil industry are better off looking for jobs in Alberta or the US Gulf Coast states.
The demands for roustabout jobs are higher hence the success rate will be comparatively higher. Some of good pointers to remember while applying roustabout jobs are as follows:-
1) Highlight your relevant working experience
- Put all relevant working experience involving mechanical and manual work .
- Put up relevant training such as Survival training or relevant certificates like BOSIET or HUET certificates,
- Undeclared your education achievement if you are university graduate because roustabouts in essential is a Blue-collar worker job. Your potential employer may reject your application upfront for being overqualified. However, basic education achievement like your high school certification should be provided as some oil companies make that as compulsary
So, how much salary can Roustabout earn ?
On average, the salary ranges from $310-$345 per day, or $42,000 to $46,000 per year. Of course, most Roustabout jobs also receive fringe oil job benefits like
- airfare fully fully paid by the oil rig company
- medical insurance
- meals, room and board

Sir i’m 25 year old n with gud health so plz give me job in ur kind hand i am so thakfull to u.i’m in U.A.E ON 3YEARS visa.my mobil nubr is +971509842489 hope for ur reaply
I am 29 years old a very hard worker and willing to travel anywhere. All I need is for someone to give me a chance to work in this industry. I will go to work tomorrow.
i would be greatful if you could send me all nessary docs to me in getting a job offshore
I have experiance as a roustabout and looking for a vacancy
hiya, i have both the BOSIET and greenhand course and i am lookin for work offshore as a roustabout. i’m 23 years old, enjoy hard work and willing to learn new skills.live in england would prefer to work there or australia! thank you
i would be greatful if you could send me all nessary docs to me in getting a job offshore
Kirtus Miller
304 Washington Blvd
Algona,WA,98001
healthyshaklee@aol.com
Cell: 1-253-561-3560
Home:1-253-804-3544
I am 27yrs old living in Washington State. I am applying for the position of Roustabout. I always wanted to work on an oil rig and would like to achieve the driller position. My strong work ethic would make up my lack of experience. I work hard; I am a team player and a fast learner.
I have done Iron work, forest fire work, sheet rock and hard labor. I hope that I will be granted this lifechanging opportunity. I could be a real good asset to your company if given the opportunity. Thank you. Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely, Yours
Kirtus Miller
i have all my current certs to work offshore and i have a rigging and lifting cert. i am willing to work any where t anytime. so i would be grteful if you could give me a start as i am a keen and very hard worker
To head of roustabout! i am a 22yrs old white south african! applying for a oppertunity on an oil rig to prove how far can my body go to achieve alittle piece of life! like you sir! with respect! everyone knows south africans born tough!! regards Rudy
Full Name: Saad Asif Choudhary
DOB: 03 November 1982
Father’s Name: Choudhary Mohammad Asif
Email Address: weird_wires@yahoo.com, low_man_lyrics@hotmail.com
Cellular Number +923335115004
Nationality: Pakistan
Address: H.No.71, Lane No 3, Chaklala, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Martial Status: Single
My father worked in National Drilling Company (ABU DHABI) in contracts with schlumberger and some other companies. His last position was of a TOOLPUSHER. I also know his many friends who worked offshore, so I know the hardwork and lifestyle in oil
field, and am very enthusiastic about having a start to this thirlling career.
Ideally, would like to gain employment on an platform. Since I dont have a relevent education for this career, so I am willing to start at the bottom as a ROUGHNECK (Preferred) Roustabout;
please guide me if anyone can ;.; sincere thanks
Im a 20 year old male With a G.E.D looking for a entry level position in the oil field im a hard worker willing to travel and go to work ASAP. jordinf@gmail.com 832-316-1911
Jimmy Cain April 3 2010 12:09 pm. I am looking for work in the oil industry concerning roustabout,roughnecking or whatever you have avaliable in this field. I have at least10 years of exspierience in this field.I am a very hardworker,fast learnerand dependiable.Iam willing to travel or whatever needed.I would appretiate the opportunity and i look forward to hearing from you.My telephone number is 325- 573- 6179 or 325-575-1776.My email is JimVC66@hot mail.com
I have been working around 16 hours a day for the last three years in the restaurant business. I dont have any skills on an oil rig but what I do have is the ability to work hard. Hard work is all I know so I might as well make good money while doing that. I am willing to travel; I am ready and willing to do whatever it takes to give my family a better life than what I am giving them now. I appreciate you reading this and for the possible chance to change our lives. 334-798-1177
hello sir,i’am a qulified welder as a tig welder gtaw smaw welder,i have welding job experience for almost 9 years in my previos company in oil refinery i have many qualification and certification about welding job,but now i presently working in dregging company as a welder onboard for almost 10 years,as a welder onboard i performs welding in cutting job all maintenance in the ship gouging job and replecing diposable materyal on ship,i’am a hard worker 10 hours working a day 7 days a week 6 months contract,now i’am onboard but this coming july 21 my contract is finish i am willing to work as a welder in offshore roustabout i would appreciate the apportunity and i look forward to hearing you thank you very much in advance!
i’m a mechanical engineer by profession but has been interested in rig drilling since when i read about this industry.i even enroll in a drilling training services so that i can obtain certificates on offshore drilling.with this,i’m asking your good office to please consider me to work in an oil rig.i can be reach thru my email and fone # +971504149335.thank you
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Sir,Iam livingin FIJI,can I apply for a position?
Thirty years old. I have been working hard labor jobs from the age of 15. Somebody please e-mail me for a permanent job opportunity. I want to work.
Was a mudlogger;;;oil is in my vains now, Just ask me to do it and I’l get the job done((safely)..
keep in touch now. Ready to work onshore/offshore; any location worldwide.
I have valid BOSIET and OSHA certs.
Will comply with JSA and STOP programme.
T.E.A.M player and lifelong member.
I am enquiring if you have any vacancies in a onshore or offshore job in your company that would suit me.
I am presently unemployed and available for work immediately. I am willing to consider any position available and keen to take part in any training as i have done my R.G.I.T & medical & am in the process of doing my Slinging – Banksman course .
I am keen to learn & have good practical hand skills. I am strong and physically and mentally fit & prepared to work away from home able to live and work as a member of a team. prepared to fly to and from the rig or platform . I would be punctual meeting aircraft (to relieve crew members returning to shore) .I have always been safety conscious & able to work at heights. My num:07955307270 Email;ryanleisk86@hotmail.co.uk
Thats not a bad salary for just starting out. Do you have more information on where and how to apply?
I am a graduate in industrial chemistry..from all indications that has little or no advantage to me securing the job on an oil rig.But i do know that my experience in the chemical terrain will certainly be handy at some point in time during the course of work.I have did a couple of tough jobs including construction and have basic but not formal knowledge of safety and survival under tough climate.I am Nigerian and need a job on an oil rig…will want to have a future there as well.I hope i will be considered for a placement..i just don’t know how. Thank you. Moven
i am a graduate of marine engineering, and have experience on a ship before,have some training certificate like fire figthing and survival at seas,fast learner, i can work with minimum supervision.i am 33 of age still tough.
i am 22 year old estonian male looking for work as Roustabout. dont mather what corner in the world i am fast learner, pysicaly fit
so plz contact
tel nr +37256601733
email slimshady155@msn.com
from estonia tallinn
HI ITS ME JUNAID FROM ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN
I NEED A ENTRY LEVEL JOB IN OIL AND GAS FIELD
HOW I CAN GET PLEASE TELL ME
HERE IS MY CONTACT:00923338333370
E-MAIL:JUNISADJUNE@YAHOO.COM
I AM 25 YEAR OLD AND I CAN WORK IN ANY CONDITION
NO COMPLAIN ABOUT,RAEDY FOR HARD WORKING
6YEARS OFFSHORE EXPERIENCE IN SUPPLY VESSELS.