How to hire a rig manager

How to hire a rig manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step rig manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a rig manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new rig manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the rig manager you need to hire. Certain rig manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect rig manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of rig managers.

   Type of Rig Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Rig Manager		$36-114
   Project Supervisor	A project supervisor is someone employed in industries like engineering, construction, manufacturing, as well as design and marketing industries to coordinate all aspects of a project. Common duties include participating in project planning, acting as a communication liaison, coordinating labor needs, and training employees... Show more	$13-46
   House Supervisor	A house supervisor is responsible for supporting the medical facilities' operations on behalf of the unit management. House supervisors ensure that the medical staff provides the highest quality care services for the patients by responding to their inquiries and concerns and assisting their medical needs... Show more	$17-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Procedures
   • Well Control
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • CPR
   • JSA
   • Safety Policies
   • Rig Moves
   • Government Regulations
   • Hoisting
   • BOP
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Mud Pumps
   • Iadc
   • Safety Regulations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all rig operations and personnel on SCR and Kelly rigs.2.
   • Manage workovers and well site recovery project in preparation for re-drill program.
   • Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, and manage their efforts to maximize their contribution to operational effectiveness and performance.
   • Drill extended laterals on OBM as well as cut brine drilling fluids.
   • Monitor all drilling & hoisting equipment.
   • Insure safe work in H2S environment.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your rig manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A rig manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, rig managers' average salary in iowa is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level rig managers 68% less than senior-level rig managers.
   • Certifications. A rig manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a rig manager's salary.

   Average rig manager salary

   $134,142yearly

   $64.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level rig manager salary

   $75,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

4. Writing a rig manager job description

   A good rig manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a rig manager job description:

   Rig manager job description example

   Operational Rigour Oversight Manager - Vice President (Risk & Controls)
   
   New York
   
   As a Barclays Operational Rigour Oversight Manager, you will join us to become responsible for driving multiple key strategic activities which include identifying and addressing control gaps across products and processes within the business. While working with the business, you will assist with developing the risk aspects of the operating model, driving regulatory understanding and change across the Corporate Bank in the US, as well as overseeing the front to back processes and risk and controls in relation to the products we sell.
   
   Barclays is one of the world's largest and most respected financial institutions, with 329 years of success, quality and innovation behind us. We've helped millions of individuals and businesses thrive, creating financial and digital solutions that the world now takes for granted. An important and growing presence in the USA, we offer careers providing endless opportunity.
   
   We're committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognizes and supports ways to balance your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. Providing the opportunity for all our employees, globally to work flexibly empowers each of us to work in a way that suits our lives as well as enabling us to better service our customers' and clients' needs. Whether you have family commitments or you're a career, or whether you need study time or wish to pursue personal interests, our approach to working flexibly is designed to help you balance your life.
   
   We are currently in the early stages of implementing a hybrid working environment, which means that many colleagues spend part of their working hours at home and part in the office, depending on the nature of the role they are in. Please discuss the detail of the working pattern options for the role with the hiring manager.
   
   What will you be doing?
   
   * Acting as first line of defense function that plays a leading role in driving the Conduct and Issue Management strategy across aligned Products and Coverage
   * Supporting Head of Operational Rigour in reviewing risk and controls and ensuring that E2E risk responsibilities under the Enterprise Risk Management Framework are met
   * Leading in key Product/Coverage -wide and related risk and control initiatives
   * Completing data analysis and provide insightful, practical and actionable conclusions
   * Leading in identifying and addressing risks and control gaps in E2E processes
   * Reviewing monthly analysis in relation to key risk indicators (complaints, risk events, breaches and refunds) to establish action plans to help mitigate recurring instances
   * Providing business support and oversight in relation to the Product/Coverage review cycle
   
   What we're looking for:
   
   * Knowledge of corporate banking products with prior experience working with or within the business on Risk/Controls, Audit/ Compliance or Business/ Product teams
   * Knowledge of the Barclays and Corporate Banking governance frameworks, policies and procedures
   * Excellent stakeholder management skills and experience of engaging with senior management teams
   * Ability to analyse data and provide insightful and actionable findings
   
   Skills that will help you in the role:
   
   * Previous experience or knowledge of Risk Management, RCSA and Controls processes is preferred
   * Action-orientated with a focus on continuous improvement in all areas of responsibility
   * A self-starter, innovative with the ability to deliver quality results with a challenging but positive and influential style
   * Excellent analysis and problem management skills
   
   Where will you be working?
   
   You will be working at our Americas Headquarters at 745 Seventh Avenue. This 32-story office tower is located in Times Square in the heart of Manhattan and features a cafeteria, fitness center and state-of-the-art LED signage on the facade of the building.
   
   Because this position involves regular in-person contact with other employees and stakeholders, the Company requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19. As an equal opportunity employer, the Company will provide reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.
   
   #LI-MB2021

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5. Post your job

   To find rig managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any rig managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level rig managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your rig manager job on Zippia to find and recruit rig manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with rig manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new rig manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect rig manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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