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Oil Rig Welding Salaries

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Special certifications are required for welding high pressure pipes.

Oilfield welders work on high pressure natural gas and petroleum pipeline systems, derrick repair, pump jack repair, gas blow-out valves, installations and shutting in or closing off a producing well. Their salaries vary greatly as income is dependent on geographical location, whether the drilling rig is land-based or located offshore, the employer and the level of education, certifications, and experience of the welder. Oilfield welders may be employed directly by the drilling company or be employees of an independent oilfield service company.

  1. Income

    • The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median wages of welders, solderers and brazers were $16.13 an hour in May 2008. Welders in the middle 50 percent earned between $13.20 and $19.61 per hour. The lowest 10 percent received less than $10.85 per hour. Welders in the highest 10 percent earned $24.38 or more per hour. Entry-level welders, working in an apprenticeship program, normally receive 40 to 50 percent of the pay of an experienced journeyman welder.

      Allen Garber, chief administrative officer at the Commercial Diving Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, states "Work “offshore” on an oil rig, though, and you probably will start out at $60,000. After a few years, you could make $100,000 or more. But that’s a different type of career. On an oil rig, you usually work 12 hours on, 12 hours off, every day for six weeks, then you come back to dry land for a week. It’s not for everyone." The American Welding Society reports that experienced underwater welders can earn from $100,000 to $200,000 per year, at the time of publication

    Job Description

    • Rig welders repair and maintain rig structure. Onshore oil drilling and completion rigs may maintain a rig welder on staff or hire outside service contractors when the rig requires welding repairs. Offshore rigs maintain full time rig welders on-site to avoid "down time" on the rig if welding repairs are demanded. Oilfield rig welders must be experienced and trained in specialty welding, including brazing and hardfacing. Welds in the oilfield are subject to corrosion, weight regulations and extreme stress. The safety of the rig and the crew can be dependent on the integrity of a weld.

    Qualifications and Training

    • Oilfield welders must be in excellent physical shape, able to lift heavy objects and have the dexterity and agility to maneuver and work in cramped or tight locations. Derrick welders must be able to climb stairs, ladders, walkways and scaffolds to accomplish welding repairs. A oilfield welder should be well trained in all aspects of first aid and welding safety. Welding in a petroleum environment can be very dangerous as volatile gases and fluids are often present at the welding location. The American Petroleum Institute establishes codes for pipeline welding in the oil and gas industry. The 3G and 4G SMAW certification for carbon steel welding and the 3G MIG welding certification, are required for the majority of oilfield welding jobs. Individuals wishing to pursue a career as an oilfield welder may take welding classes from community colleges, vocational training schools or specialty welding schools.

    Employment Opportunity Outlook

    • Due to newly discovered oil and gas reserves in the United States, Canada and several locations around the world, the employment opportunity for oil field workers, including welders, is expected to increase. The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in oil field related jobs will increase 18 percent over the 2008-2018 decade.

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