How to hire a derrickman

How to hire a derrickman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step derrickman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a derrickman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new derrickman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the derrickman you need to hire. Certain derrickman roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A derrickman's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, derrickmen from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of derrickmen.

   Type of Derrickman	Description	Hourly rate
   Derrickman		$17-30
   Roustabout	Roustabouts are manual workers who are typically employed in the oil and gas drilling industries. They have varied duties to keep the oil and gas rigs run efficiently and safely... Show more	$12-18
   Galley Hand	Galley hands, also known as utility hands, are usually tasked to assist the cook in preparing the food and dining room, in serving the meals, and in cleaning up the kitchen. In doing so, they should have good communication skills, can follow specific instructions, and can interact with people... Show more	$12-38

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Drilling Fluid
   • Fluid Properties
   • Direct Supervision
   • Well Control
   • Tongs
   • Drill Pipe
   • Floor Hands
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Derricks
   • BOP
   • Safety Regulations
   • Hoisting
   • PPE
   • Fall Protection

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Fill out the Iadc logs daily, lead the crew during safety meetings and orientations.
   • Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, and manage their efforts to maximize their contribution to operational effectiveness and performance.
   • Conduct derrick maintenance of sheave nest, cables, structure, ropes, pulleys and safety equipment.
   • Maintain shakers and agitators on pit system.
   • Maintain centrifugal, agitators, and shakers.
   • Prepare BHA as per plan for hole sections.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your derrickman job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A derrickman can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, derrickmen' average salary in south dakota is 39% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level derrickmen 44% less than senior-level derrickmen.
   • Certifications. A derrickman with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a derrickman's salary.

   Average derrickman salary

   $48,858yearly

   $23.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level derrickman salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a derrickman job description

   A derrickman job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a derrickman job description:

   Derrickman job description example

   Weatherford is a leading global energy services company. Our world-class experts partner with customers to optimize their resources and realize the full potential of their assets. Across our operating locations, including manufacturing, research and development, service, and training facilities, operators choose us for strategic solutions that add efficiency, flexibility, and responsibility to any energy operation.
   
   We are focused on technology development, digital solutions, and defining our footprint in the new energy space. Our ability to provide integrated solutions across our segments will be critical to growth in our core operations and the energy transition.
   
   Energy producers face unique challenges every day, so it is our job to create solutions that enhance safety, streamline operations, and sustain uptime to meet or exceed their targets. We operate across the global energy landscape employing some of the best diverse talent in the industry. At Weatherford, we understand the value each individual brings to the table. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are immensely proud of our workforce. We invite you to join our passionate, talented, word-class team.
   
   When you join Weatherford, you instantly feel connected to something bigger - a community that is grounded by our core values and driven to create innovative solutions for our customers. We celebrate each other's successes, grow together, and learn from each other constantly. Individually, we are impressive. Together, we are unstoppable. We are One Weatherford.
   
   Weatherford offers competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits program and provides you a challenging and enriching career path, with a healthy balance of structure and flexibility to chart your own course. We are focused on providing a challenging and enriching career path with a healthy balance of structure and flexibility to chart your own course. We are an innovative, global company with wide-ranging opportunities that include career-enhancing talent rotations. Our structured career paths will ensure that you know what it takes to build your ideal career at Weatherford when you join our Company. We also offer a comprehensive benefits program, including health insurance coverage, income protection plans, a 401(k) savings plan, Company paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation.
   
   Weatherford is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
   Responsibilities The schedule for this role will be Monday - Friday, 7 am - 3:30 pm Work closely with the Driller and the Rotary Helpers (Floor Hands) to ensure that drilling rig operations are performed safely and efficiently Align and manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem from a platform on the rig derrick during the removal and replacement of strings of pipe, or drill stem and drill bit Operate and maintain drilling rig diesel motors, transmissions, pumps and drilling mud systems, and mix mud chemicals, cements, and additives Read gauges to monitor pressure, density, rate, and concentration and adjust pumping procedure as required Record mud flows, volumes and take samples Supervise Rotary Helpers (Floor Hands) and laborer Perform rig floor duties (handling slips, elevators, tongs, BHA's) to accomplish the task at hand Assist in the operation of the drilling mud system including mixing mud, maintaining mud characteristics, operating, and maintaining the shaker, de-sander systems and operating/maintaining the mud pumps Work on equipment in the derrick as required Assist with the operation/maintenance of the tongs and other mechanized equipment Keep the rig and the adjacent area clean, neat, and organized Take direction/assignments from the Driller Know and understand Weatherford SRO (Spencer Road) Quality Policy and comply with all requirements of the Quality System Manual, Operating/Technical Procedures and Workplace Instructions Perform various other duties and activities as assigned by supervisor within the physical constraints of the job Qualifications Essential: Minimum 1 year as Derrickman/Motorman Forklift experience Manlift experience Experience strapping tubulars; generating accurate casing tallies Hot shot experience (securing, inspecting, and hauling loads safely) Well rounded rig hand Preferred: Drilling rig mud pump, draw works, derrick maintenance experience Assistant Driller/Driller experience Overhead/shop crane experience Desire to gain tool pusher type experience

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find derrickmen for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your derrickman job on Zippia to find and attract quality derrickman candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with derrickman candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new derrickman

   Once you have selected a candidate for the derrickman position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new derrickman. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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