One of the most lucrative industries for high-paying jobs is the oil and gas sector.
In fact, many of the best paying jobs in integrated oil companies are also some of the highest-paying jobs around that are accessible to many people.
If you’re ever asking do oil companies pay well, the quick answer is: yes they do.
But, what are the best jobs in oil and gas industry? Below is a list of the 15 lucrative jobs in oil companies.
15. Well Tester
A well tester is responsible for performing all assessments and evaluations on oil pipelines. These tests are done during the phase of development, before the actual pipelines are put into use.
This job is extremely important, as the work will help predict the risk levels associated with the pipeline and predict its overall stability.
In other words, you’ll use your investigative skillset to help determine the feasibility of something as important as a pipeline, making it an ideal job for problem solvers.
Average salary: $44,061 (Indeed)
14. Technical Director
The technical director is responsible for supervising and supporting teams below them.
This could include project managers, engineers, drilling teams and consultants. They serve a vital role in bringing everything together on the operational level.
Just like beginning your career working at a startup, the technical director is a great job because it can be a springboard to other jobs in oil and gas industry.
While its salary isn’t that high compared to some other jobs, it could certainly lead to those jobs in the future.
Average salary: $65,085 (Indeed)
13. Sales Rep
Every industry needs solid sales representatives, and the oil and gas industry is no different.
In fact, this is one of the best paying jobs in integrated oil companies because the sky is the limit when it comes to earning potential.
Sales reps will start with a fairly high base salary and then will have opportunities to earn more through bonuses and/or sales commissions.
As long as you are able to show off your selling potential at the interview, this is a good opportunity for those looking for jobs without a resume.
This is also a great job for people who like the challenge of marketing their products to businesses who will serve customers throughout the world.
Average salary: $65,095 (base) (Indeed)
Trend on the Rise
The oil and gas industry experienced a lot of contraction during the pandemic. In 2020 alone, oil and gas companies had 107,000 layoffs. The jobs most likely to come back fastest are sales jobs, as reps can provide real value right away.
12. Account Manager
Sales reps are responsible for closing new accounts. Account managers are responsible for ensuring that all current clients are being well tended to.
In some companies, account managers are responsible for securing the best deals and prices for their goods.
This is one of the best jobs in the oil and gas industry for people who are wheelers and dealers, and who like to communicate to a lot of different people.
This job takes great communication skills and the ability to understand economics and the industry as a whole.
Check out these best tips for finding a job to help increase your odds of success.
Average salary: $70,628 (Indeed)
Tactic for Success
Communication is one of the most valuable skills employees need to learn to succeed in the technology-forward world we live in. People who want to succeed as account managers in the oil and gas industry — or other industries, for that matter — should consider taking courses to help them improve their communication.
11. Geologist
Oil and gas companies need geologists to survey the land and help them discover gas and oil deposits hidden beneath the surface. In a way, these geologists are like detectives.
It’s a cool job trying to use various readings of the ground to determine where deposits might be located.
Good geologists — who may also get lucky from time to time — help the companies they work for strike gold.
Average salary: $78,668 (Indeed)
10. Chemical Engineer
Oil and gas companies need chemical engineers to conduct tests as well as evaluations that will ensure the companies are using the right chemicals when they take crude oil from the earth.
This is an extremely important job, and it’s great for people who like to conduct experiments and tests in the lab.
This is why it’s one of the best careers in oil and gas industry, especially for those who’d rather work in a lab than in the field.
Even when you possess the right skills and degrees, securing a job can be a struggle. These might be the reasons why you can’t find a job and how to fix them.
Average salary: $83,440 (Indeed)
Trend on the Rise
Chemical engineers are still in high demand in the oil and gas industry, and not just for direct jobs. Many companies need chemical engineers for complementary sectors such as plastics that rely on petrochemicals made from crude oil. So, if you’re looking for a future-proof job, this could be it.
9. Operations Director
Oil and gas companies can have very complex operations. Someone has to bring it all together and make sure everything runs smoothly. That’s the job of the director of operations.
This person will manage all of the essential functions for the business. This includes sales, budget, negotiations, marketing and purchasing.
If you have a knack for negotiation, learn how to negotiate salary for this role since compensation varies a lot.
It’s a very challenging job, but it also can lead to a number of the other high paying jobs in integrated oil companies because of the diversity in experience in which it results.
Average salary: $84,932 (Indeed)
8. Oil Hauler
Once the oil is extracted from the ground, someone has to help transport it to the refineries where the raw material is converted into usable materials. That’s the job of an oil hauler.
It’s basically a trucking job, but it comes with some other requirements, since you’ll be transporting combustible materials.
This is a great job for people who like traveling across the country and spending time on their own.
Average salary: $86,065 (Indeed)
7. Project Manager
Project managers could be responsible for managing a variety of different tasks.
The average pay of this job is quite high, but it can also rise to being the highest-paid job in the industry overall.
Project managers are responsible for managing a certain aspect of the industry from start to finish.
It’s a great job for someone who likes to set goals, and then work with other teammates to make sure they are accomplished according to plan.
Average salary: $92,500 (Talent.com)
6. Drilling Engineer
If you’re an engineer who likes to get their hands a little dirty in the field rather than conducting tests in a lab, then a drilling engineer could be a good job for you.
These high earning jobs with integrated oil companies require people to execute all drilling operations that seek to extract the crude oil and natural gas from the earth.
In addition to actually operating the drills, this position includes some testing, and could include managing a team of drillers as well.
Average salary: $95,548 (Indeed)
5. HSE Manager
This manager is labeled HSE, which stands for Health, Safety and Environmental.
Their job is to implement and design all the safety programs for the entire organization related to these three areas.
After creating the plans, they will be responsible for updating and reviewing them constantly, and reporting to outside organizations that conduct audits on oil and gas companies.
This is a great job for people who are sticklers for the rules and like dealing with organizational structure.
Average salary: $99,126 (Salary.com)
4. Human Resources Advisor
Similarly, most oil and gas companies have a need for a Human Resources department and advisors who work in the department.
If you’re asking do oil companies pay well, you’ll find that this is one of the best jobs in oil and gas industry for people who work in a related field rather than out on a job site.
These employees will help companies recruit and retain employees, conduct evaluations on employees, create standard operating procedures and settle disputes.
Average salary: $123,341 (Glassdoor)
3. Pipeline Construction Manager
The pipeline construction manager’s responsibility is to maintain and asset all of the wells that the company has drilled and set up.
They also make sure that all the safety measures set up by the company are being properly implemented.
The nice part about the pipeline construction manager’s job is that they are also responsible for all the technical and financial operations associated with drilling for either gas or oil.
In other words, it’s a very diverse job with a lot of different parts.
Average salary: $130,087 (ZipRecruiter)
2. Safety Director
When you answer the question do oil companies pay well, the reason why the response is yes is because the jobs can be quite dangerous.
It’s incumbent on the companies to ensure that the highest safety standards are being used at all areas of the company — not only so that no one gets directly hurt on the job but so that the environment is protected, too.
The safety director is responsible for all of these things.
They must work internally to protect the safety and welfare of the workforce, but also work with surrounding communities to make sure they are compliant with all environmental rules and regulations, too.
Average salary: $132,141 (Indeed)
1. Lease Operator
Lease operators ensure that all of the gas and oil that is taken from the drilling sites is transported to gas stations and processing plans safely.
Part of this job includes inspecting vehicles and major equipment. They must constantly monitor the equipment that is used in every part of the extraction and transportation process.
If you’re a quality control nut, then this job is for you.
Average salary: $322,251 (Indeed)
Wrapping Up
The above are some of the best paying jobs in integrated oil companies.
So, if you’re asking do oil corporations pay well, the obvious answer is that, yes, they do — so don’t miss out on these opportunities
Tim is a classically-trained journalist who loves to share knowledge and information with others. In the past, he has worked in TV, online and print media, and currently works with companies to help design, create and strategize their messaging.
