Offshore drilling worker | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Offshore drilling workers drill for undersea oil and gas on offshore rigs.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
Push levers and brake pedals to control

Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.
Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.
Repair or replace defective parts of machinery, such as rotary drill rigs, water trucks, air compressors, and pumps, using hand tools.
Clean and oil pulleys, blocks, and cables.
Bolt together pump and engine parts, and connect tanks and flow lines.
Remove core samples during drilling to determine the nature of the strata being drilled.
Cap wells with packers, or turn valves, to regulate outflow of oil from wells.
Line drilled holes with pipes, and install all necessary hardware, to prepare new wells.
Position and prepare truck-mounted derricks at drilling areas specified on field maps.
Plug observation wells, and restore sites.
Lower and explode charges in boreholes to start flow of oil from wells.

Read more about Offshore drilling worker

Offshore drilling workers typically work around 53 to 55 hours per week.

As a Offshore drilling worker you will typically work evenings / weekends / bank holidays.

This occupation tends to be:

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely

Read more about Offshore drilling worker

* from ONETonline

Average salary
62,083 GBP *
per year

* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Average salary for Offshore drilling worker

Big gender gap

65,592 GBP
37,074 GBP

Average salary for full-time Offshore drilling worker

Showing:

62,083 GBP
37,074 GBP
65,592 GBP

Salary over time for Offshore drilling worker

Salary for this role has increased over time

53,639 GBP
52,242 GBP
57,695 GBP
59,256 GBP
62,083 GBP

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Future outlook for Offshore drilling workers

Balanced outlook

3% yearly wage growth (on average)

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Offshore drilling worker and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

31% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications
29% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
22% of people in this role have a certificate of higher education or equivalent but no degree

You can apply directly to offshore oil and gas companies if you've got experience in an industry like engineering or construction.

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
observation and recording skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Offshore drilling worker

Offshore

Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Leadership Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Initiative Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

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Offshore drilling worker | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Future outlook for Offshore drilling workers

Offshore drilling worker - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

Things to highlight for your Offshore drilling worker interview