Post job

Rig hand vs roughneck

The differences between rig hands and roughnecks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a roughneck has an average salary of $38,993, which is higher than the $33,851 average annual salary of a rig hand.

The top three skills for a rig hand include tongs, CDL and H2S. The most important skills for a roughneck are safety equipment, flow lines, and tongs.

Rig hand vs roughneck overview

Rig HandRoughneck
Yearly salary$33,851$38,993
Hourly rate$16.27$18.75
Growth rate1%-
Number of jobs4,329134
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 60%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Rig hand vs roughneck salary

Rig hands and roughnecks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Rig HandRoughneck
Average salary$33,851$38,993
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $42,000Between $29,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between rig hand and roughneck education

There are a few differences between a rig hand and a roughneck in terms of educational background:

Rig HandRoughneck
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 60%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Rig hand vs roughneck demographics

Here are the differences between rig hands' and roughnecks' demographics:

Rig HandRoughneck
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 96.7% Female, 3.3%Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 1.2% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between rig hand and roughneck duties and responsibilities

Rig hand example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform rig operations, repair large mud pump motors, hoppers, shakers, generators, valves and agitators.
  • Complete OSHA 10 and H2S certifications.
  • Maintain current OSHA and CDL license.
  • Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Operate a methane work over rig and run a crew .... CDL
  • Help guide objects while elevate in air by crane inspect tools, equipment and PPE before using.
  • Show more

Roughneck example responsibilities.

  • Fill out the Iadc logs daily, lead the crew during safety meetings and orientations.
  • Perform general maintenance on rig components, and conduct assigned activities on the rig floor.
  • Have to wear proper PPE at all times.
  • Operate forklift, manlift, and overhead hoists.
  • Assist in specific job tasks involving H2S protocol.
  • Appropriate use of PPE with various completion fluids.
  • Show more

Rig hand vs roughneck skills

Common rig hand skills
  • Tongs, 20%
  • CDL, 16%
  • H2S, 11%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Flow Lines, 6%
  • PPE, 4%
Common roughneck skills
  • Safety Equipment, 18%
  • Flow Lines, 16%
  • Tongs, 12%
  • General Maintenance, 4%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
  • Mud Pumps, 4%

Browse construction and extraction jobs