# Oil rig salary and offshore day rates by role (2026)

> In US drilling and oilfield services, rotary drill operators averaged $34.55 an hour in May 2025, derrick operators $27.97 and roustabouts $23.62, before overtime. That is about $283 to $415 for a 12-hour shift at straight time. Rigs themselves earn far more: Valaris reported average drillship day rates of $426,000 for 2026.

Source: RigJobsDirect, https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/offshore-and-rig-day-rates-by-role
Category: Salaries. Last updated: 2026-10-16.

How much do oil rig workers make? In US drilling and oilfield service companies, rotary drill operators (drillers) averaged **$34.55 an hour** in May 2025, derrick operators **$27.97** and roustabouts **$23.62**, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). At straight time, that is about $283 to $415 for a 12-hour shift, before any overtime. Rig owners earn far more per day than their crews: Valaris reported an average contracted day rate of **$426,000** for its drillships in 2026.

People search "offshore day rates" for two different things: what a worker earns per day, and what an oil company pays to hire a whole rig or vessel. This guide covers both, by role, and shows how rotations turn a day rate into a yearly income.

## Oil rig salary by role

The table uses BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for May 2025, for the industry "support activities for mining" (NAICS 2131), which includes drilling contractors and oilfield service companies ([BLS industry page](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_213100.htm)). We pulled the figures from the [BLS public data API](https://www.bls.gov/developers/). The "12-hour shift" column is simply the hourly mean times 12, at straight time.

| Role | Hourly mean | Annual mean | 12-hour shift at straight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captains, mates and pilots of water vessels | $65.89 | $137,050 | $791 |
| Petroleum engineers | $61.73 | $128,390 | $741 |
| Electricians | $36.59 | $76,110 | $439 |
| Crane and tower operators | $35.88 | $74,630 | $431 |
| Rotary drill operators (drillers) | $34.55 | $71,870 | $415 |
| Sailors and marine oilers | $32.89 | $68,410 | $395 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | $31.25 | $65,000 | $375 |
| Derrick operators | $27.97 | $58,180 | $336 |
| Service unit operators | $27.32 | $56,820 | $328 |
| Roustabouts | $23.62 | $49,130 | $283 |
| Helpers, extraction workers (floorhands) | $22.00 | $45,770 | $264 |

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, support activities for mining.

Engineering managers in the same industry averaged $81.97 an hour ($170,490 a year).

### Why these numbers are lower than what you hear

- **No overtime.** BLS says OEWS wages are straight-time pay and leave out premium pay such as overtime ([BLS technical notes](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tec.htm)). Rig crews often work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week.
- **Onshore and offshore together.** The figures mix land rigs and offshore work. Offshore jobs often pay more for the same role.
- **Averages.** Pay rises with experience and responsibility. A driller with a well control certificate and years on one rig type earns more than the average.

### How much do oil rig workers make a year?

Across all US oil and gas workers, BLS gives a median of $51,650 a year in May 2025 ([BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/oil-and-gas-workers.htm)). For individual rig roles, nationwide averages across all industries were $72,130 for rotary drill operators, $60,210 for derrick operators and $49,200 for roustabouts ([BLS rotary drill operators](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes475012.htm), [BLS roustabouts](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes475071.htm)).

### How much do oil rig workers make per hour and per week?

Per hour, see the table. Per week, it depends on the schedule and on overtime. Under US federal law, covered non-exempt employees get at least one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek ([US Department of Labor](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime)). Some groups are exempt, including seamen on vessels, so check which rules apply to your job.

Here is a worked example for a roustabout at the BLS average of $23.62 an hour, working 7 days of 12 hours (84 hours), with overtime paid on the 44 hours over 40:

- 40 hours at $23.62 = $944.80
- 44 hours at $35.43 (1.5 times) = $1,558.92
- Total for that week: about **$2,504**, or about $298 a day

This is only arithmetic on an average. Real pay depends on your rate, your contract and whether overtime applies.

## How rotations turn a day rate into a yearly income

Offshore crews usually work a rotation, such as two weeks on and two weeks off (14/14) or four weeks on and four weeks off (28/28). On an equal-time rotation you work about half the year, roughly 182 days. That is why a high day rate does not always mean a high annual income.

| Day rate | Days worked a year (equal rotation) | Gross a year |
|---|---|---|
| $300 | 182 | $54,600 |
| $500 | 182 | $91,000 |
| $800 | 182 | $145,600 |
| $1,200 | 182 | $218,400 |

When you compare offers, check:

- **Is it a day rate or a salary?** A day rate pays only for days worked. A salary is paid all year, including your time off.
- **Are travel days paid?** Some contracts pay travel days at a lower rate.
- **What about standby and training days?** These are often paid at a reduced rate.
- **Who pays flights, hotels and certificates?** These can add up to thousands a year.
- **Is it employed or contract work?** Contractors through an agency or their own company may have to cover their own leave, pension and insurance.

Our guide to [rotation schedules](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/rotation-schedules-gulf-oil-gas) explains each pattern, and our guide to [Gulf oil and gas salaries](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/oil-gas-salaries-benefits-gulf) covers tax-free pay in the Middle East.

## Offshore drilling salary: UK, North Sea and Australia

There is no official government data for offshore day rates by role in the UK, Norway or Australia that we could find, so we do not quote figures for them. Offers there may be an annual salary on a rotation or a day rate through a contracting company. In each case, read the contract carefully and compare the total for the year, not just the rate.

Job ads on RigJobsDirect rarely state a day rate. On 16 October 2026, only 3 of the 358 [drilling and wells jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/drilling) we listed stated a yearly salary, from $54,000 to $155,000 a year, and 6 of the 293 [subsea and marine jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/subsea-marine) did, mostly between $61,000 and $200,000. Ask about pay early in the process.

## Offshore rig day rates: what rigs earn

The "day rate" an oil company pays a drilling contractor covers the rig and its crew. Contractors publish them in their fleet status reports. Valaris's August 2026 report gave these average contracted day rates for 2026 ([Valaris Fleet Status Report, 5 August 2026](https://s23.q4cdn.com/956522167/files/doc_financials/2026/q2/08052026-Fleet-Status-Report_FINAL.pdf)):

| Rig type | Average day rate, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Drillships (deepwater) | $426,000 |
| Harsh-environment jackups (for example the North Sea) | $123,000 |
| Benign-environment jackups (for example the Middle East) | $138,000 |
| Legacy jackups | $100,000 |
| All jackups | $126,000 |

Valaris says its day rates exclude non-recurring revenue such as lump-sum mobilisation payments, and that they may include reimbursable costs such as crew, catering, insurance and taxes. The same report gives a $135,000 operating day rate for a jackup on a one-well contract offshore Poland.

### Offshore supply vessel day rates

Supply and support vessels cost far less to hire than rigs. Tidewater, a large offshore vessel operator, reported an average fleet day rate of $22,938 a day for the second quarter of 2026, up 2.9% on the first quarter ([Tidewater, 3 August 2026](https://investor.tdw.com/news/news-details/2026/Tidewater-Reports-Results-for-the-Six-Months-Ended-June-30-2026/default.aspx)).

### Why rig day rates matter to workers

High rig day rates mean busy rigs, which means more hiring and more room to negotiate. When rigs are stacked (idle), crews are cut first. Watch contractors' fleet status reports and news of new contracts to see where work is picking up.

## How to earn a higher offshore day rate

1. **Move up the drilling ladder.** Roustabout to floorhand, then derrickman, assistant driller and driller. Each step pays more.
2. **Get the certificates your next role needs.** Well control certification (IWCF or IADC WellSharp) is needed for drill crew roles; see our guide to [offshore safety certificates](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/offshore-safety-certificates-gulf-oil-gas).
3. **Add a trade.** Electricians, mechanics and crane operators earn more than general crew, as the table shows.
4. **Follow the busy rigs.** Contractors with rigs on long contracts are the ones hiring and promoting.
5. **Keep your record clean.** A good safety record and references from supervisors get you rehired.

If you are just starting out, read our guide on [how to get an offshore job with no experience](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/how-to-get-an-offshore-job-with-no-experience). For onshore pay in Texas, see [oil and gas salaries in Houston and the Permian](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/oil-and-gas-salaries-in-houston-and-the-permian).

Pay rules and tax treatment differ by country and contract. This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice, so check the official links and your contract.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much do oil rig workers make a month?

Using BLS annual averages for US drilling and service companies, roustabouts averaged about $4,100 a month ($49,130 a year) and drillers about $6,000 a month ($71,870 a year) in May 2025, before overtime. Offshore workers on rotation can earn more because of long shifts.

### How much do oil rig workers make per day?

At the BLS hourly averages, a 12-hour shift at straight time is worth about $283 for a roustabout, $336 for a derrick operator and $415 for a driller. Overtime can raise that a lot.

### What is an entry-level oil rig salary?

Entry roles such as roustabout and floorhand averaged $22.00 to $23.62 an hour in US drilling and service companies in May 2025, or about $46,000 to $49,000 a year before overtime.

### What are offshore drilling day rates in 2026?

For rigs, Valaris reported average 2026 day rates of $426,000 for drillships and $126,000 for jackups. Day rates vary by region, water depth, rig specification and contract length.

### Is a day rate better than a salary?

Not always. A day rate pays only for days worked, so on a 28/28 rotation you are paid for about half the year. Compare the total yearly income, and check whether travel, standby and training days are paid.

## Sources

- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_213100.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes475012.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes475071.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tec.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/oil-and-gas-workers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/developers/
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime
- https://s23.q4cdn.com/956522167/files/doc_financials/2026/q2/08052026-Fleet-Status-Report_FINAL.pdf
- https://investor.tdw.com/news/news-details/2026/Tidewater-Reports-Results-for-the-Six-Months-Ended-June-30-2026/default.aspx