Mud logger vs mud engineer

The differences between mud loggers and mud engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a mud logger, becoming a mud engineer takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a mud logger has an average salary of $99,535, which is higher than the $66,175 average annual salary of a mud engineer.

The top three skills for a mud logger include enhance safety, mechanical equipment and data acquisition systems. The most important skills for a mud engineer are rig, drilling fluid, and polymer.

Mud logger vs mud engineer overview

	Mud Logger	Mud Engineer
Yearly salary	$99,535	$66,175
Hourly rate	$47.85	$31.81
Growth rate	7%	8%
Number of jobs	741	26,045
Job satisfaction	5	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	38	43
Years of experience	2	8

Mud logger vs mud engineer salary

Mud loggers and mud engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mud Logger	Mud Engineer
Average salary	$99,535	$66,175
Salary range	Between $74,000 And $133,000	Between $45,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between mud logger and mud engineer education

There are a few differences between a mud logger and a mud engineer in terms of educational background:

	Mud Logger	Mud Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Geology	Business
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Stanford University

Mud logger vs mud engineer demographics

Here are the differences between mud loggers' and mud engineers' demographics:

	Mud Logger	Mud Engineer
Average age	38	43
Gender ratio	Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6%	Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 17.0% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	5%

Differences between mud logger and mud engineer duties and responsibilities

Mud logger example responsibilities.

Manage, design and supervise geologic investigation drilling plans relate to environmental, geotechnical and mining projects.
Work on LCM jobs gaining knowledge of down hole ECD as well as on low weight system WBM and OBM.
Oversee WBM to OBM conversions of systems or combining different weight fluids when applicable.
Insure all personnel utilize PPE.
Operate the most advance centrifuges in the industry.
Work on centrifuges, shakers, dryers and augers.

Mud engineer example responsibilities.

Work directly with the well supervisor and team to accomplish the job responsibilities and troubleshoot issues.
Manage rig move/loss circulation surface personnel logistics for maximum efficiency.
Hold current``HUET"TWIC and H2S certificates.
Waste management, H2S content fluid treatment.
Educate customers on how to properly administer product and troubleshoot some basic issues.
Prepare soil data in geotechnical software and graphical figures to be used and review by professional engineering project managers.

Mud logger vs mud engineer skills

Common mud logger skills

Enhance Safety, 15%
Mechanical Equipment, 8%
Data Acquisition Systems, 7%
Laboratory Techniques, 6%
Drill Cuttings, 5%
MWD, 4%

Common mud engineer skills

Rig, 39%
Drilling Fluid, 10%
Polymer, 8%
OBM, 4%
Fluid Properties, 4%
Logistics, 4%

Mud Logger vs. similar jobs

Mud Logger related careers

Mud Logger related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Mud Logger
Mud Logger vs Mud Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs