Rig Hand Education Requirements And Courses

Rig hand education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, rig hands don't need a college education. The most common degree for rig hands is high school diploma with 60% graduates, with only 12% rig hand graduates earning associate degree. Rig hands who decided to graduate from college often finish Bakersfield College or University of Phoenix. Some good skills to have in this position include tongs, cdl and h2s.

What education do you need to become a rig hand?

What degree do you need to be a rig hand?

The most common degree for rig hands is high school diploma, with 60% of rig hands earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 12%.

High School Diploma, 60%

Associate, 12%

Diploma, 12%

Bachelor's, 10%

Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a rig hand?

You should major in general studies to become a rig hand. 15% of rig hands major in general studies. Other common majors for a rig hand include precision metal working and business.

General Studies, 15%

Precision Metal Working, 13%

Business, 12%

Automotive Technology, 11%

Other Majors, 49%

Best majors for rig hands

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	General Studies	15.1%
2	Precision Metal Working	13.4%
3	Business	12.5%
4	Automotive Technology	11.3%
5	Criminal Justice	10.7%

Show more common rig hand majors

20 best online courses for rig hands

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1. Flow of fluids through piping systems , valves and pumps

4.3

(883)

Learn to size valves & piping systems, calculate pressure drop, flow of liquids & gases through pipe , fittings & valves...

2. How To Read Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams Made Easy

4.5

(471)

All you'll ever need to easily Read P & IDs in one Clear and Concise Course for Plant Operators, Maintenance & Engineers...

3. Designing Piping Systems: Pipe Fittings Flanges Valves

4.5

(314)

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

4. Know Read Understand Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams P & IDs

4.5

(1,615)

Learn how Process Control, Safety Instrumented Systems, Interlock & Alarms are represented in engineering P & ID drawings...

5. Piping Design Engineering & Piping Isometrics Masterclass

4.6

(712)

Everything you need to know to draft , design & fabricate your piping system & piping isometrics like a pro...

6. Learn CAESAR II: The complete piping stress analysis course

4.5

(385)

Learn everything you need to know about piping stress analysis using CAESAR II software, from beginner to expert - 2022...

7. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

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

8. PG Diploma in Piping Design Engineering

4.2

(839)

Learn Piping Design Engineering...

9. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

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

10. Blender Character Rigging For Beginners HD

4.8

(458)

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

11. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

12. Rigging 101 for Video Games - Maya 2018

4.4

(534)

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

13. Fast animation and rigging techniques using Maya 2017

(377)

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

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

4.5

(2,583)

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

15. 3d Rigging in 3ds Max - The Ultimate Guide for Everyone

4.5

(252)

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

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

4.4

(478)

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

17. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics

4.3

(727)

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

18. Complete Course on Piping Valves for Your Career Success

4.3

(412)

Learn about 18 types of valves used in Oil & Gas Piping, including their Standards, Manufacturing, Inspection & Testing...

19. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

4.5

(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

20. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

4.6

(465)

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

Average rig hand salary by education level

Rig hands with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $35,466 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, rig hands earn a median annual income of $34,713 compared to $32,693 for rig hands with an High School Diploma degree.

Rig hand education level	Rig hand salary
High School Diploma or Less	$32,693
Bachelor's Degree	$34,713
Some College/ Associate Degree	$35,466