Both these jobs pay extremely high wages.  Both involve working out of doors in all kinds of weather for twelve hours at a time.  Usually the shifts are two weeks on and two weeks off.  Remuneration also includes medical insurance, and an allowance to cover food, lodging, and transportation. Both Roustabouts and Roughnecks work on oil or gas drilling rigs on land or at sea.  The work may be dirty, wet, and noisy and the tedium of living together as a group may be stressful.  Travel is involved and you may be away from home for weeks at a time, but if you don’t mind rough work and enjoy being outdoors, these jobs may suit you well.

Both Roustabouts and Roughnecks must be physically strong, mentally alert, and hard working.  They must have good communication skills, be able to respond quickly,  and be able to work as part of a team.  Both jobs involve considerable lifting, bending, carrying, and climbing.

The entry position of Roustabout is the less skilled position.  The work involves loading and unloading supplies, preparing mud, stacking pipe, cleaning, maintenance, digging trenches, and doing any task required that needs strength but limited skill.  A position as Roustabout is a good experience as it gives workers a chance to learn by observing the workings of a well and hopefully, before long, advancing to become Roughnecks.  Roustabouts do not work on the well floor.

Roughnecks need to have a higher level of both knowledge and skills.  Some may come directly to the Roughneck job but most usually start off as roustabouts.  They work under the direct supervision of the driller or the assistant driller.  Roughnecks assemble and disassemble all their equipment.  When work begins, they connect lengths of pipe, constantly adding fresh lengths of pipe as the drill bit digs deeper.  When necessary the pull out and replace the drill bit.  When the  job is done, they remove and clean any equipment used, and prepare it for transport.  They are responsible for keeping all equipment in good working order, repairing as needed.  The work done by individual Roughnecks depends on their level of skill and experience.

Although there is little formal education needed by Roustabouts and Roughnecks, the job is not easy.  Both positions can be dangerous which is one reason why they pay so well.

If you think this is the type of job that would appeal to you, go to:  TexasOilfieldJobs.com