# How to get an offshore job with no experience (2026)

> Most people start offshore as a roustabout, a galley steward or in another entry role, after first working onshore in a related trade. Before you fly, you will need basic offshore safety training such as BOSIET, a valid offshore medical, and in some countries extra documents such as a US TWIC card.

Source: RigJobsDirect, https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/how-to-get-an-offshore-job-with-no-experience
Category: Job search. Last updated: 2026-10-17.

Yes, you can get an offshore job with no experience, but it rarely happens straight from an online application. Most people start in an entry role such as roustabout, floorhand or galley steward, often after working onshore first in a related trade. Before you can fly offshore you will need basic safety training such as OPITO BOSIET, a valid offshore medical, and in the US a TWIC card. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says roustabout jobs "typically do not require experience to enter" ([BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/oil-and-gas-workers.htm)).

This guide explains which offshore jobs take beginners, what training and paperwork you need in the US, the UK and Norway, what the work pays, and how to apply without getting scammed.

## Which offshore jobs take people with no experience?

| Entry role | What you do | Where it leads |
|---|---|---|
| Roustabout | General deck labour on a rig or platform: loading, unloading, cleaning, painting, helping the crane operator | Floorhand, crane operator, derrickman, driller |
| Floorhand (roughneck) | Works on the drill floor handling pipe and tools | Derrickman, assistant driller, driller |
| Galley steward or utility hand | Cleaning, laundry and kitchen work, usually for a catering contractor | Cook, camp boss |
| Deckhand or ordinary seaman | General work on supply and support vessels | Able seaman, mate (with maritime qualifications) |
| Trainee technician | Junior mechanical, electrical or instrument work, usually after a trade apprenticeship | Offshore technician, supervisor |

BLS says new oil and gas workers usually start with simple tasks such as cleaning equipment, organising tools and loading and unloading, learn on the job by shadowing experienced workers, and get safety training. Roustabout work can lead to derrick operator and driller roles ([BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/oil-and-gas-workers.htm)).

### Offshore jobs with no experience and no degree

None of the roles above needs a degree. BLS lists "no formal educational credential" as the typical entry level for oil and gas workers, though some employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. What helps much more is a practical trade (welding, scaffolding, rigging, mechanics, electrics), experience in heavy physical work, or time on ships or in the military.

### Offshore jobs with no experience for women

Every entry role above is open to women. Offshore installations have shared living quarters, and accommodation arrangements vary by operator, so ask the employer at interview if you have questions.

## Why "no experience" usually means "no offshore experience"

Offshore beds are expensive and limited, so companies prefer people who can be useful from day one. In practice, many new starters have no offshore experience but do have a relevant skill from onshore work. The most common routes are:

1. **Work onshore first.** Get a job at a drilling contractor's yard, an oilfield service company or a land rig, then apply for an offshore transfer. Land rig experience counts for offshore drilling crews.
2. **Learn a trade.** Electricians, mechanics, welders, scaffolders, crane operators and instrument technicians are always needed offshore. A recognised trade qualification is the strongest entry ticket.
3. **Go through catering.** Offshore catering companies hire stewards with hospitality or food hygiene experience.
4. **Go through marine.** Seafarer training and certificates lead to jobs on supply vessels, which can lead to rig and platform roles.

## What you need before you go offshore

The exact rules depend on the country and the operator, so always check the job ad. These are the usual basics.

### Basic offshore safety training (BOSIET)

In the UK, the Gulf and many other regions, operators expect the OPITO BOSIET course for people "new (or returning) to the offshore oil and gas industry". It takes about 21 guided learning hours (usually three days) and covers safety induction, helicopter safety and escape, sea survival and firefighting. You then need FOET training within 4 years to keep it current ([OPITO](https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/basic-offshore-safety-induction-and-emergency-training-bosiet-with-emergency-breathing-system-ebs)).

In the UK sector, new starters are also expected to complete OPITO's Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST), a two-day course on offshore hazards, valid for 4 years. OPITO says BOSIET is expected before MIST, and BOSIET is required before you travel offshore ([OPITO](https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/minimum-industry-safety-training-standard)).

For work in tropical regions, OPITO has a tropical version, T-BOSIET, for people new or returning to offshore oil and gas who need training for a tropical environment ([OPITO](https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/tropical-basic-offshore-safety-induction-and-emergency-training-t-bosiet)). Ask the employer which version it accepts.

Only train at an OPITO-approved centre, which you can find on the [OPITO centre network](https://opito.com/centre-network). Our guide to [offshore safety certificates](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/offshore-safety-certificates-gulf-oil-gas) covers T-BOSIET, HUET and the rest.

### H2S training

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a toxic gas found in some oil and gas fields, and some job ads ask for an H2S certificate. OPITO's Basic H2S Training is for people who work, or could work, where H2S could contaminate the air. It takes four guided learning hours, has no prerequisites and the certificate is valid for two years ([OPITO](https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/basic-h2-s-training)). Other providers run their own H2S courses, so ask which one the employer accepts.

### Who pays for your tickets?

There is no single rule. Some employers pay for your certificates or book the training after they hire you. Others, especially for contract roles, expect you to arrive with valid certificates. Ask before you pay for anything.

**Should you pay for BOSIET before you have a job?** It is a risk. Courses cost real money, and a certificate the employer does not accept is wasted. If you pay yourself, choose an approved centre recognised in the region where you want to work, keep copies of every certificate and note the expiry dates. Never pay for training through a recruiter who promises a job in return: see the scams section below.

### An offshore medical

For the UK sector you need an offshore medical certificate from a doctor registered with Offshore Energies UK (OEUK). OEUK says a standard OEUK certificate is generally accepted in Norway and the Netherlands by mutual agreement, while acceptance in other countries is up to the country, employer or operator ([OEUK](https://oeuk.org.uk/doctors/doctors-faqs)). OPITO also requires a valid offshore medical (or an accepted equivalent or screening) before the practical parts of BOSIET.

### The UK offshore weight limit

From 1 November 2026, workers whose clothed weight is over 124 kg cannot travel offshore to UK installations covered by the offshore Safety Case regulations. The limit is set by what a rescue helicopter winch can lift. It does not apply to marine vessels ([OEUK](https://oeuk.org.uk/industry-support/hse/safe-weight-limit-policy/)).

### US offshore: the TWIC card

In the US, workers who need access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels need a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from the TSA. A new card costs $124 (or $93 at the reduced rate), and TSA advises applying at least 60 days before you need it ([TSA](https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic)). Many Gulf of Mexico employers ask for it. Mariners who work on vessels usually also need a US Coast Guard credential.

### The right to work

Offshore employers will ask for proof that you can work in the country where they hire you. Few entry-level offshore jobs come with a work visa, so start in a country where you already have the right to work. See our [apply from abroad page](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/apply-from-abroad) for jobs that accept international applicants.

## How much do offshore jobs pay with no experience?

BLS puts the median pay of US oil and gas workers at $51,650 a year in May 2025 ([BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/oil-and-gas-workers.htm)). That figure covers onshore and offshore workers and excludes overtime. Offshore pay is often higher than onshore for the same job, because you work 12-hour shifts for weeks at a time. For pay by role in Texas, see our guide to [oil and gas salaries in Houston and the Permian](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/oil-and-gas-salaries-in-houston-and-the-permian).

Expect long rotations: BLS says crews on offshore rigs may spend weeks away from home and work long shifts 7 days a week, followed by time off. Our guide to [rotation schedules](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/rotation-schedules-gulf-oil-gas) explains 14/14, 21/21 and 28/28 patterns.

## How to get an offshore job in the US, UK and Norway

### US: Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico

Offshore work in the US Gulf is based out of Houston and south Louisiana ports. Drilling contractors, service companies and vessel operators hire from towns such as [Lafayette](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/lafayette), [New Iberia](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/new-iberia), [Houma](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/houma) and [Morgan City](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/morgan-city), which had 17, 14, 7 and 12 open jobs on RigJobsDirect on 16 October 2026. Search the career sites of drilling contractors and vessel operators for "roustabout", "galley hand" or "deckhand", and get your TWIC early.

### UK: Aberdeen and the North Sea

Aberdeen is the hub for UK offshore work. On 16 October 2026 RigJobsDirect had 99 open [energy jobs in Aberdeen](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/aberdeen). UK entry roles usually ask for BOSIET, MIST and an OEUK medical. The UK regulator for offshore health and safety is the Health and Safety Executive ([HSE](https://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/index.htm)). Our guide to [working in the North Sea](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/working-in-the-north-sea-uk-and-norway) covers the UK and Norwegian sectors in more detail.

### Norway

Norwegian offshore jobs are well paid and popular, and many employers ask for Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, Norwegian safety training and the right to work in Norway. Check each ad for its language and training requirements. RigJobsDirect had 64 open [energy jobs in Norway](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/norway) on 16 October 2026.

### Canada and Australia

Both have offshore industries, off Newfoundland and Labrador and off Western Australia. Employers there generally need you to have the right to work in the country, so entry roles suit people who already live there.

## How to apply

1. **Pick a route.** Drilling (roustabout, floorhand), catering (steward), marine (deckhand) or a trade.
2. **Write a short CV that stresses physical and safety experience.** Construction, farming, warehouse, military, fishing and shipyard work all count. Mention any certificates, a driving licence and your fitness.
3. **Apply directly to employers.** Drilling contractors, service companies, catering contractors and vessel operators post jobs on their own career sites. RigJobsDirect lists jobs from those sites; browse [drilling jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/drilling), [subsea and marine jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/subsea-marine) and [production and operations jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/production-operations), and set up [job alerts](https://rigjobsdirect.com/subscribe).
4. **Be ready to start fast.** Entry roles often fill quickly when a crew member leaves. Keep your certificates valid and your phone on.

### Avoid offshore job scams

Offshore jobs are a favourite of scammers. Real employers do not charge you to apply, and they do not ask you to pay a "visa fee" or to book training through a specific person before an interview. Our guide to [avoiding recruitment scams](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/avoid-recruitment-scams-gulf-oil-gas-jobs) lists the warning signs.

## Is offshore work dangerous?

It can be. OSHA lists vehicle accidents, being struck by or caught in equipment, explosions and fires, falls, confined spaces and chemical exposure as hazards that can kill oil and gas workers ([OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/oil-and-gas-extraction)). Offshore adds helicopter travel and the sea. That is why training, medicals and strict permit-to-work systems are required. Take them seriously.

Training, medical and immigration rules change. This guide is general information, not legal advice, so check the official links and the job ad before you pay for any course.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I get an offshore job with no experience?

Start in an entry role such as roustabout, floorhand, galley steward or deckhand, or use an onshore trade to get in. Get BOSIET (or the local equivalent) and an offshore medical, then apply directly to drilling contractors, service companies, catering contractors and vessel operators.

### How much do offshore jobs pay with no experience?

In the US, the median for oil and gas workers was $51,650 a year in May 2025 before overtime, according to BLS. Offshore entry pay depends on the country, the employer and the rotation, so check what the job ad says.

### Can I get an oil rig job with no experience?

Yes. Roustabout and floorhand jobs on rigs often take people with no oilfield experience. Many people start on land rigs, where it is easier to get hired, and then move offshore.

### Who pays for BOSIET and H2S training?

It depends on the employer. Some pay for your certificates or book the training after they hire you, while others, especially for contract roles, expect you to have them already. Ask before you pay, and only train at an approved centre.

### Do I need BOSIET before I apply?

Not always. Some employers pay for it after they hire you, others ask for it in the ad. It is required before you travel offshore in regions that follow OPITO standards, such as the UK.

### Are there offshore jobs with housing?

On an offshore installation, your food and accommodation on board are provided during your hitch. For travel to and from the heliport or port, check the contract; some employers pay travel, others do not.

### How do I get an offshore job in the UK?

Get BOSIET, MIST and an OEUK offshore medical, keep your clothed weight under 124 kg, and apply to employers in Aberdeen and the North Sea. You also need the right to work in the UK.

## Sources

- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/oil-and-gas-workers.htm
- https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/basic-offshore-safety-induction-and-emergency-training-bosiet-with-emergency-breathing-system-ebs
- https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/minimum-industry-safety-training-standard
- https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/tropical-basic-offshore-safety-induction-and-emergency-training-t-bosiet
- https://opito.com/standards-and-qualifications/industry-standards-library/basic-h2-s-training
- https://opito.com/centre-network
- https://oeuk.org.uk/doctors/doctors-faqs
- https://oeuk.org.uk/industry-support/hse/safe-weight-limit-policy/
- https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic
- https://www.osha.gov/oil-and-gas-extraction
- https://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/index.htm