How to become an oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourer
Official title: Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers
Also called: Oil field labourer, Slasher - oil and gas, Swamper - oil and gas, Oil well cementer helper, Slasher - oil field services, Swamper - oil field services, Floorhand - oil and gas drilling, Leasehand - oil and gas drilling, Roughneck - oil and gas drilling, Floorhand - offshore drilling rig, Roughneck - offshore drilling rig, Roustabout - oil and gas drilling
Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers carry out a variety of general labouring duties and operate equipment to assist in the drilling and servicing of oil and gas wells. This unit group also includes labourers who assist in geophysical prospecting for oil and gas. They are employed by drilling and well servicing contractors and by petroleum producing companies.
Main tasks
- Manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem at the rig floor during drilling and during the removal and replacement of strings of pipe or drill stem and drill bit
- Maintain drilling equipment on the drill floor
- Handle, sort and move drill tools, pipe, cement and other materials
- Clean up rig areas
- Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs and service equipment
- May drive trucks to transport materials and well service equipment
How to become one
Completion of secondary school may be required. Completion of introductory college or petroleum industry-approved training courses may be required. Certificates in hydrogen sulphide awareness, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) or transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) may be required.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $60,450 a year The middle half earn $48,750 to $74,100.
- About 5,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 5,400 are projected by 2033. (+5.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourer?
Completion of secondary school may be required. Completion of introductory college or petroleum industry-approved training courses may be required. Certificates in hydrogen sulphide awareness, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) or transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) may be required.
How much does an oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $60,450 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $48,750 to $74,100.
Is an oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2033, from about 5,100 to about 5,400 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourer?
Usually not. Only 1% 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