# Oil and gas salary in Houston and the Permian Basin (2026)

> In the Houston metro, petroleum engineers averaged $177,780 a year in May 2025 and roustabouts $50,140, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Midland pays engineers a little more and field crews a little less. Overtime, which these figures leave out, often adds a lot to field pay.

Source: RigJobsDirect, https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/oil-and-gas-salaries-in-houston-and-the-permian
Category: Salaries. Last updated: 2026-10-16.

What is a typical oil and gas salary in Houston? It depends on the job far more than on the city. In the Houston metro area, petroleum engineers averaged **$177,780** a year in May 2025, project management specialists **$107,190** and roustabouts **$50,140**, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In the Permian Basin, Midland pays engineers a little more than Houston and field crews a little less.

This guide gives official wage figures for the main oil and gas roles in Houston, Midland and Odessa, what the job ads on RigJobsDirect say, and how people get into Permian Basin and Texas oilfield jobs with no experience.

## Where the numbers come from

The wage figures below come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey for May 2025, the latest release, which we pulled from the [BLS public data API](https://www.bls.gov/developers/). You can see the same data on the BLS pages for the [Houston](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_26420.htm), [Midland](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_33260.htm) and [Odessa](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_36220.htm) metro areas.

Three things to know before you read them:

- **They cover all industries.** "Electricians" in Houston includes electricians at refineries, offshore contractors, hospitals and homebuilders. Oil and gas roles such as roustabouts and rotary drill operators are almost all in the industry; office roles such as accountants are not.
- **They leave out overtime.** BLS says OEWS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude premium pay such as overtime ([BLS technical notes](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tec.htm)). Field crews in Texas often work long weeks, so their real earnings can be well above these figures.
- **They are averages.** Your pay depends on experience, employer and shift pattern.

## Oil and gas salaries in Houston, Midland and Odessa

Annual mean wage, May 2025, BLS OEWS. "n/a" means BLS did not publish a figure for that area.

| Role | Houston metro | Midland metro | Odessa metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and engineering managers | $195,650 | $205,810 | $183,270 |
| Petroleum engineers | $177,780 | $184,150 | $147,120 |
| Electrical engineers | $135,160 | $141,500 | $113,340 |
| Mechanical engineers | $133,040 | $136,650 | $119,750 |
| Sales engineers | $131,070 | $137,660 | $131,730 |
| Project management specialists | $107,190 | $106,790 | $104,120 |
| Accountants and auditors | $95,640 | $111,820 | $88,720 |
| Occupational health and safety specialists | $90,280 | $92,920 | $74,950 |
| Rotary drill operators, oil and gas | $88,240 | $80,720 | $68,690 |
| Cost estimators | $84,820 | $85,240 | $90,590 |
| Petroleum pump system and refinery operators | $84,880 | $80,360 | n/a |
| Wellhead pumpers | $78,580 | $69,110 | $71,070 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | $68,640 | $64,920 | $63,670 |
| Derrick operators, oil and gas | $64,080 | $58,280 | $54,580 |
| Electricians | $61,470 | $60,660 | $58,060 |
| Welders, cutters and solderers | $59,530 | $65,390 | $66,080 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $58,160 | $60,170 | $59,190 |
| Service unit operators, oil and gas | $57,600 | $55,470 | $56,980 |
| Roustabouts, oil and gas | $50,140 | $47,510 | $45,400 |

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

### Oil and gas engineer salary in Houston

Engineers are where Houston pays most. Petroleum engineers averaged $177,780 and had a median of $169,870, with about 4,770 of them working in the metro area. Chemical engineers averaged $155,750. Electrical and mechanical engineers were close to each other at about $133,000 to $135,000. Engineering managers averaged $195,650.

Houston is where most of the engineering, project and head office jobs are. Midland has fewer engineers (BLS counts about 940 petroleum engineers there), but they average slightly more.

### Oil and gas accountant and analyst salary in Houston

Accountants and auditors in the Houston metro averaged $95,640 (median $85,090). In Midland the average was higher, at $111,820. BLS does not split accountants by industry at city level, so treat this as a general guide. Joint interest billing, revenue and land accounting are common oil and gas specialisms you will see in ads.

### Oil and gas project manager salary in Houston

BLS groups most project roles under "project management specialists". In Houston they averaged $107,190 a year. Senior project managers on large energy projects are often counted as managers instead, so senior pay can be much higher. On RigJobsDirect on 16 October 2026 there were 107 open [project management and controls jobs in Houston](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/houston), more than any other role group in the city.

### Oil and gas sales jobs salary in Houston

Sales engineers in Houston averaged $131,070. Many sales jobs at oilfield service and equipment companies also pay commission or bonus, which these figures may not fully capture. Ask how the bonus is calculated and what share of people hit target.

## What the job ads on RigJobsDirect say

RigJobsDirect lists jobs straight from employers' own career sites and never estimates pay. On 16 October 2026:

- [Energy jobs in Houston](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/houston): 579 open jobs at 74 employers. 46 of them stated a yearly salary in US dollars, and most of those were between $85,000 and $221,000 a year. 6% of the Houston jobs offered visa sponsorship.
- [Energy jobs in Midland](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/midland): 107 open jobs at 23 employers, including 36 [maintenance and reliability jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/maintenance/in/midland).
- [Energy jobs in Odessa](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/odessa): 77 open jobs at 13 employers. The 4 ads with a salary ranged from $62,000 to $162,000 a year.
- Smaller Permian towns had jobs too, such as [Pecos](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/pecos) with 36 and [Carlsbad, New Mexico](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/carlsbad) with 26.

Across the whole [United States](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/united-states), 1,388 of 6,207 jobs stated a yearly salary, and most were between $69,000 and $201,000. Many Texas employers still leave pay out of their ads, so ask about it early.

## Is oil and gas pay in Texas taxed?

Texas has no state personal income tax ([Texas Comptroller](https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/archive/2023/dec/proptax.php)). You still pay federal income tax and Social Security and Medicare contributions. Many hourly field workers are also entitled to overtime at one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, unless they are exempt ([US Department of Labor](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime)). Salaried engineers and managers are usually exempt.

## Permian Basin jobs: where the work is

The Permian Basin covers West Texas and south-east New Mexico. The main job centres are Midland and Odessa, with field work around Pecos, Big Spring, Carlsbad, Hobbs and Artesia. The US Energy Information Administration expects US crude oil production to average 13.9 million barrels a day in 2026 and 14.3 million in 2027, a record, and the Permian produces a large share of it ([EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026](https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/)).

Most Permian jobs are field roles: lease operators (pumpers), roustabouts, well service rig crews, frac and wireline crews, truck drivers, mechanics, and instrument and electrical technicians. Engineers and managers work from Midland offices and visit sites.

### Permian Basin jobs salary

Using the BLS figures for the Midland metro: roustabouts averaged $47,510, service unit operators $55,470, derrick operators $58,280, wellhead pumpers $69,110 and rotary drill operators $80,720. Truck drivers averaged $60,170. Remember these figures leave out overtime, and many field schedules include a lot of it. Some employers also pay per diem or provide housing for crews who travel to the Permian.

## Oil field jobs in Texas with no experience

Entry-level oilfield jobs exist, but they are physical, outdoors in heat and cold, and often far from town. The common entry points are:

- **Roustabout or floorhand.** General labour on well sites and rigs. BLS counts about 3,940 roustabouts in the Midland metro and 5,850 in Houston.
- **Lease operator trainee.** Checks wells, tanks and equipment on a route. Often called a pumper.
- **Truck driver.** Hauls water, sand, crude and equipment. Usually needs a commercial driver's licence (CDL).
- **Shop hand or yard hand.** Works in a service company's yard and often moves into field roles.

### What employers usually ask for

- A clean driving record and the ability to pass a drug test. Many field jobs involve driving company vehicles.
- Basic safety training. Some employers train you in-house; others want a recognised oilfield safety orientation before your first day. Ask the employer which one they accept before you pay for anything.
- Physical fitness and willingness to work long shifts and rotations. See our guide to [rotation schedules](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/rotation-schedules-gulf-oil-gas) for how rotations work.

The work is dangerous. OSHA says vehicle crashes, being struck by or caught in equipment, explosions and fires, falls, confined spaces and chemical exposure, including hydrogen sulphide, can all kill oil and gas workers, and that 489 oil and gas extraction workers were killed on the job from 2013 to 2017 ([OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/oil-and-gas-extraction)). Take safety training seriously and ask how the employer manages these risks.

### Oil field jobs in Texas that need a CDL

Driving jobs are among the easiest ways into the Permian. To get a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, you must complete entry-level driver training with a provider on the federal Training Provider Registry, a rule in force since February 2022 ([FMCSA](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/entry-level-driver-training-eldt)). Hauling hazardous materials needs an extra endorsement. Some service companies pay for CDL training if you agree to stay for a set time; read the repayment terms first.

### Training in Midland and Odessa

Midland College runs an Energy Technology programme that prepares students for entry-level lease operator and general field technician jobs, with a certificate or an associate degree ([Midland College](https://midland.edu/academics/degrees/energy/energy-tech.php)). Odessa College offers technical and workforce courses too. Check current programmes and costs with each college.

## Permian Basin hiring events and job fairs

Workforce Solutions Permian Basin, the public workforce board, has offices in Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, Fort Stockton and Pecos and runs job fairs. Its website listed a Midland Job Fair on 28 October 2026 at Midland College ([Workforce Solutions Permian Basin](https://www.workforcepb.org)). Check its events page for new dates, as they change often.

At a hiring event, bring copies of your CV, your driving licence, any safety certificates, and be ready to talk about physical work you have done before. Some employers hire on the spot; most will still run a background check and drug test. Never pay a fee to be hired. Our guide to [avoiding recruitment scams](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/avoid-recruitment-scams-gulf-oil-gas-jobs) explains the warning signs.

## Midland TX oilfield jobs: entry level vs experienced

| | Entry level | Experienced |
|---|---|---|
| Typical roles | Roustabout, floorhand, yard hand, driver | Rig operator, lease operator, I&E technician, supervisor |
| What you need | Driving licence, drug test, safety orientation | Years on site, specific certificates, often a CDL |
| BLS average (Midland, May 2025, before overtime) | $47,510 (roustabouts) | $69,110 (wellhead pumpers) to $80,720 (rotary drill operators) |

On RigJobsDirect most Midland ads are for experienced staff, because we only list jobs from employers' own career sites, and many entry-level crews are hired through local offices and job fairs. Set up [job alerts](https://rigjobsdirect.com/subscribe) to hear about new ones.

Pay, tax and labour rules change. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, so check the official links before you decide.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the average oil and gas salary in Houston?

There is no single figure, because pay ranges from about $50,000 for roustabouts to about $178,000 for petroleum engineers and $196,000 for engineering managers (BLS, May 2025, before overtime). The job ads on RigJobsDirect with a salary mostly paid $85,000 to $221,000 a year on 16 October 2026, because most Houston ads are for engineering and project roles.

### How much does an oil and gas engineer make in Houston?

Petroleum engineers in the Houston metro averaged $177,780 a year in May 2025, chemical engineers $155,750, electrical engineers $135,160 and mechanical engineers $133,040.

### What do entry-level oil and gas jobs in Houston pay?

Entry-level field roles such as roustabouts averaged $50,140 a year in Houston before overtime. Entry-level engineering graduates earn more, but BLS does not publish a separate figure for them.

### Can you get Permian Basin jobs with no experience?

Yes. Roustabout, floorhand, yard hand and driver jobs often take people with no oilfield experience. You usually need a clean driving record, to pass a drug test and to complete basic safety training. A CDL makes you much easier to hire.

### Do oil field jobs in Texas pay well?

Field crews earn base pay similar to other manual trades, but long hours and overtime can raise total earnings a lot. Engineers, supervisors and specialists earn well above the Texas average.

### Where can I find oil and gas hiring events in Midland and Odessa?

Workforce Solutions Permian Basin lists job fairs on its website, such as the Midland Job Fair on 28 October 2026. Local colleges and employers also run their own events.

## Sources

- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_26420.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_33260.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_36220.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tec.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/developers/
- https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime
- https://www.osha.gov/oil-and-gas-extraction
- https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/entry-level-driver-training-eldt
- https://www.workforcepb.org
- https://midland.edu/academics/degrees/energy/energy-tech.php
- https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/archive/2023/dec/proptax.php