Roughneck Education Requirements And Courses

Roughneck education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, roughnecks don't need a college education. The most common degree for roughnecks is high school diploma with 52% graduates, with only 21% roughneck graduates earning bachelor's degree. Roughnecks who decided to graduate from college often finish Texas A&M; University or Tyler Junior College. Some good skills to have in this position include safety equipment, flow lines and tongs.

Popular roughneck certifications include Commercial Driver License (CDL), OSHA Safety Certificate , or Certified Safety Professional (CSP). To improve roughneck qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in roughneck education paths.

What education do you need to become a roughneck?

What degree do you need to be a roughneck?

The most common degree for roughnecks is high school diploma, with 52% of roughnecks earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 21% and bachelor's degree degree at 11%.

High School Diploma, 52%

Bachelor's, 21%

Associate, 11%

Diploma, 11%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a roughneck?

You should major in general studies to become a roughneck. 19% of roughnecks major in general studies. Other common majors for a roughneck include business and precision metal working.

General Studies, 19%

Business, 12%

Precision Metal Working, 9%

Petroleum Engineering, 7%

Other Majors, 53%

Best majors for roughnecks

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	General Studies	19.0%
2	Business	12.5%
3	Precision Metal Working	9.0%
4	Petroleum Engineering	6.5%
5	Criminal Justice	5.9%

Show more common roughneck majors

20 best online courses for roughnecks

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1. Introduction to Oil and Gas Drilling

4.5

(2,595)

Insight into the dynamic and exciting process of drilling an oil and gas well...

2. 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...

3. 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...

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. Designing Piping Systems: Pipe Fittings Flanges Valves

4.5

(314)

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

6. 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...

7. Rotating Equipment Masterclass: Pumps & Compressors

4.6

(305)

A compelete understanding of pumps & compressors used in process industries for a successful operation of your facility...

8. 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...

9. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

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

10. 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...

11. 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...

12. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

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

13. PG Diploma in Piping Design Engineering

4.2

(839)

Learn Piping Design Engineering...

14. 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...

15. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

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

16. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY

4.4

(252)

Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

17. 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...

18. Electrical Power Equipment

4.6

(939)

Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

19. 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...

20. 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...

Average roughneck salary by education level

Roughnecks with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $41,346 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, roughnecks earn a median annual income of $40,244 compared to $37,324 for roughnecks with an High School Diploma degree.

Roughneck education level	Roughneck salary
High School Diploma or Less	$37,324
Bachelor's Degree	$40,244
Some College/ Associate Degree	$41,346