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What is a drilling contractor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
ScoreDrilling ContractorUS Average
Salary
3.5

Avg. Salary $44,852

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
3.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.05%

Asian 1.41%

Black or African American 5.27%

Hispanic or Latino 23.96%

Unknown 3.86%

White 64.45%

Gender

female 10.59%

male 89.41%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a drilling contractor

  1. Explore drilling contractor education requirements

    Most common drilling contractor degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.2 %

    High School Diploma

    11.5 %

    Certificate

    7.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific drilling contractor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Rig66.08%
    BHA12.09%
    Background Checks8.24%
    Well Control6.86%
    BOP6.72%
  3. Complete relevant drilling contractor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New drilling contractors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a drilling contractor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real drilling contractor resumes.
  4. Research drilling contractor duties and responsibilities

    • Manage onsite operations safely and efficiently delivering well objectives, in full compliance with relevant standards and operator policies.
    • Manage onsite operations safely and efficiently delivering well objectives, in full compliance with relevant standards and operator policies.
    • Insure and install quality drywall for residential homes and commercial construction in Pensacola, Florida and surrounding areas.
  5. Apply for drilling contractor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a drilling contractor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first drilling contractor job

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Average drilling contractor salary

The average drilling contractor salary in the United States is $44,852 per year or $22 per hour. Drilling contractor salaries range between $22,000 and $90,000 per year.

Average drilling contractor salary
$44,852 Yearly
$21.56 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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