How to become a contractor or supervisor
Official title: Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
Also called: Oil field consultant, Oil field contractor, Fracturing supervisor, Oil and gas contractor, Consultant - gas well drilling, Oil field consultant supervisor, Consultant - oil and gas drilling, Oil and gas drilling foreman/woman, Oil well services field supervisor, Rig manager - oil and gas drilling, Well site consultant - oil and gas, Offshore drilling rig superintendent
Contractors and supervisors in oil and gas drilling and services supervise and coordinate the activities in drilling for oil or gas, operating service rigs, or providing oil and gas well services. They are employed by drilling and well service contracting companies and petroleum producing companies. Contractors may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Supervise, co-ordinate and schedule the activities of workers who drill for oil and gas, operate service rigs or provide oil and gas well services
- Establish methods to meet work schedules and co-ordinate work activities with other departments
- Requisition and procure materials and supplies
- Ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect the health and safety of workers
- Resolve work problems and recommend measures to improve productivity and safety
- Train workers in job duties, safety procedures and company policies
- Recommend personnel actions such as hirings and promotions
- Review, audit and approve workers' paperwork and complete proper documentation
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is required. Completion of college or petroleum industry approved training courses is required. Extensive experience in the occupations supervised is required. A two-year college diploma in petroleum engineering technology may be required. Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, well control, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) or other safety and technical subjects are required and are obtained by completing short courses.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $97,500 a year The middle half earn $75,836 to $121,875.
- About 17,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 20,000 are projected by 2033. (+11.7%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a contractor or supervisor?
Completion of secondary school is required. Completion of college or petroleum industry approved training courses is required. Extensive experience in the occupations supervised is required. A two-year college diploma in petroleum engineering technology may be required. Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, well control, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) or other safety and technical subjects are required and are obtained by completing short courses.
How much does a contractor or supervisor earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $97,500 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $75,836 to $121,875.
Is a contractor or supervisor a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2033, from about 17,900 to about 20,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a contractor or supervisor?
Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03