How To Become A Roustabout: What It Is and Career Path

What is a roustabout and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Roustabouts are manual laborers who work at an oilfield or oil and gas drilling industries. One of the major duties of a roustabout is to clean up drill sites and rigs. This cleaning could include pulling scattered remains and trash away from the drilling sites to avoid accidents and getting injured. As a roustabout, you are also to transport materials and store them.

Also, one of your responsibilities is to receive and transport materials and supplies as well as ensuring proper equipment installation. Maintaining drilling and extraction tools is also part of your duty. In addition, roustabouts frequently need to repair pump equipment.

No formal educational qualification is needed for this role. Usually, most candidates have at least a high school diploma. Other skills and qualifications include strength and dexterity, team coordination, communication skills, ability to manage time, and physical and mental stamina. The average annual income for this role is $36,960.

ScoreRoustaboutUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,841

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

7.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.25%

Asian 1.22%

Black or African American 9.49%

Hispanic or Latino 19.31%

Unknown 4.21%

White 63.52%

Gender

female 4.24%

male 95.76%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

1.8

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a roustabout

Explore roustabout education requirements

Most common roustabout degrees

High School Diploma

54.2 %

Bachelor's

15.7 %

Associate

13.9 %

Start to develop specific roustabout skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	9.60%
Backhoe	8.57%
Flow Lines	6.63%
Oilfield Equipment	5.83%
Welders	5.16%

Research roustabout duties and responsibilities

Swab oil and gas wells.
Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
Swab back fluids, fish for part rods and tubing.
Experience in operatingdozer, excavator, bobcat and all-terrain crane.

Prepare your roustabout resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your roustabout resume.

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