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Drilling rig operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, drilling rig operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for drilling rig operators is high school diploma with 49% graduates, with only 23% drilling rig operator graduates earning bachelor's degree. Drilling rig operators who decided to graduate from college often finish Bismarck State College or Mississippi College. Some good skills to have in this position include cdl, osha and minor maintenance.

What education do you need to become a drilling rig operator?

What degree do you need to be a drilling rig operator?

The most common degree for drilling rig operators is high school diploma, with 49% of drilling rig operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 23% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.
  • High School Diploma, 49%
  • Bachelor's, 23%
  • Associate, 20%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a drilling rig operator?

You should major in business to become a drilling rig operator. 16% of drilling rig operators major in business. Other common majors for a drilling rig operator include geology and computer science.

Best majors for drilling rig operators

20 best online courses for drilling rig operators

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1. Introduction to Oil and Gas Drilling

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2. Blender Character Rigging For Beginners HD

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Learn Blender Character Rigging Step-by-Step from Scratch using Blenders Powerful Rigging Features. Go from Noob to Pro...

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A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...

4. Rigging 101 for Video Games - Maya 2018

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Learn the tools and concepts to rig props and characters in Maya 2018...

5. Truck Dispatcher - Working with owner operators

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Work and earn...

6. 3d Rigging in 3ds Max - The Ultimate Guide for Everyone

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3D Rigging: Build the Skills Needed to Start Rigging you Own 3D Characters TODAY...

7. Fast animation and rigging techniques using Maya 2017

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Learn to rig a biped character and animate a walk cycle for film, TV and video games for beginner Maya users...

8. Introduction to Rigging in Maya

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This course is for those who wants to rig their characters and props but don't have any prior knowledge of Rigging...

9. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

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Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

10. The Complete Bipedal Rigging for Games in Maya Course

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Learn the complete rigging and skinning process for bipeds using Maya with a focus on game characters!...

11. Complete Rigging Course: Moho & Anime Studio

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Step by step course to help you learn this skill - effortlessly...

12. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

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OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

13. Master Houdini FX: Create Stunning Visual Effects rigs

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Create VFX rigs in Houdini from the ground up, go from beginning to advanced, Anyone can learn Houdini with this course...

14. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

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A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

15. Rigging a Character in After Effects for Animation

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Take your Illustrator File and connect each body part to easily control your character for animation...

16. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

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Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

17. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program

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Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...

18. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance

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A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...

19. Designing Piping Systems: Pipe Fittings Flanges Valves

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Understanding piping systems , their components , codes & specification for successful design , construction & operation...

20. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

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A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

Average drilling rig operator salary by education level

Drilling rig operators with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $48,836 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, drilling rig operators earn a median annual income of $47,508 compared to $43,608 for drilling rig operators with an High School Diploma degree.
Drilling rig operator education levelDrilling rig operator salary
High School Diploma or Less$43,608
Bachelor's Degree$47,508
Some College/ Associate Degree$48,836

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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