Rig Manager Education Requirements And Courses

Rig manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, rig managers don't need a college education. The most common degree for rig managers is high school diploma with 57% graduates, with only 15% rig manager graduates earning bachelor's degree. Rig managers who decided to graduate from college often finish Ashford University or Oklahoma State University. Some good skills to have in this position include safety procedures, well control and preventative maintenance.

Popular rig manager certifications include Commercial Driver License (CDL), OSHA Safety Certificate , or Forklift Safety and Inspector. To improve rig manager qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in rig manager education paths.

What education do you need to become a rig manager?

What degree do you need to be a rig manager?

The most common degree for rig managers is high school diploma, with 57% of rig managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 15% and bachelor's degree degree at 12%.

High School Diploma, 57%

Bachelor's, 15%

Associate, 12%

Diploma, 8%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a rig manager?

You should major in business to become a rig manager. 17% of rig managers major in business. Other common majors for a rig manager include general studies and computer science.

Business, 17%

General Studies, 9%

Computer Science, 7%

Automotive Technology, 7%

Other Majors, 60%

Best majors for rig managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	17.3%
2	General Studies	9.1%
3	Computer Science	7.3%
4	Automotive Technology	7.3%
5	Management	6.4%

Show more common rig manager majors

20 best online courses for rig managers

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1. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

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

2. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

4.6

(465)

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

3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

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

4.4

(478)

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

5. 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...

6. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2

4.4

(355)

A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

7. 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...

8. 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...

9. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY

4.4

(252)

Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

10. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

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

11. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

4.3

(448)

It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

12. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

4.1

(263)

The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...

13. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

14. Refresher course of Safety Management Systems

4.7

(390)

A quick overview for aviation managers and safety professionals about basic concepts and philosophy of SMS...

15. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system

4.6

(4,258)

Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...

16. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

17. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

4.3

(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

18. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.

4.5

(2,235)

How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...

19. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

20. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

4.3

(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

Average rig manager salary by education level

Rig managers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $168,390 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, rig managers earn a median annual income of $146,911 compared to $141,467 for rig managers with an Associate degree.

Rig manager education level	Rig manager salary
Master's Degree	$168,390
High School Diploma or Less	$131,813
Bachelor's Degree	$146,911
Some College/ Associate Degree	$141,467