Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers

National Occupational Classification (NOC): 85111

Fast Facts

  • Average Pay: N/A
  • Future Growth: N/A
  • Skill Level: N/A
  • Employment Size: N/A
  • Unemployment: N/A
  • Full-time Share: N/A

Sample Job Titles

  • Wireline helper
  • Service rig helper
  • Floorman/woman - oil and gas drilling
  • Leasehand
  • Roughneck
  • Roustabout
  • Shakerhand
  • Well treatment helper
  • Swamper - oil and gas


What do oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers do?

Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers carry out a variety of general labouring duties and operate equipment to assist in the drilling and servicing of oil and gas wells. This unit group also includes labourers who assist in geophysical prospecting for oil and gas. They are employed by drilling and well servicing contractors and by petroleum producing companies.

Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem at the rig floor during drilling and during the removal and replacement of strings of pipe or drill stem and drill bit
  • Maintain drilling equipment on the drill floor
  • Handle, sort and move drill tools, pipe, cement and other materials
  • Clean up rig areas
  • Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs and service equipment
  • May drive trucks to transport materials and well service equipment.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

 

Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:

  • 213   Support activities for mining and oil and gas
  • 211   Oil and gas extraction
  • 561   Administrative and support services
  • 541   Professional, scientific and technical services

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

Short and Long Term Occupational Projections

Short Term Projections for 2023-2025

The employment outlook is undetermined for oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador due to low levels of employment.

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Long Term Projections for 2023-2032

Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers belong to the broader occupational group 8511 (Natural resources labourer). This group is forecast to be balanced (rating of 1.9 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning projected labour supply is expected to meet forecasted job openings.

Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)

 

Number of Job Postings in 2023

During 2023, there were 20 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:

Avalon:  100% Western:  0%
Eastern:  0% Labrador:  0%
Central:  0% NL-unspecified:  0%

Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)



Who works as oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador?

During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 100 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 95% of those employed were Male+ and 5% of those employed were Female+.

Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:

15 to 24 25 to 54 55 to 64 65+
0% 75% 25% 0%

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

How much do oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers make?

Annual Earnings

The median employment income for all oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers  in the reference year 2020 (210 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $54,000.

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

Hourly Earnings

Salary information for oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers  in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
Newfoundland and Labrador $18.00 $27.00 $36.00

 

The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
$19.00 $27.00 $35.00

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)

  • Lifting Equipment
  • Housekeeping
  • Pipe (Fluid Conveyance)
  • Well Control
  • Oil And Gas
  • Employment Equity
  • Gantry Crane
  • Hydraulics
  • Emergency Response Planning
  • Power Tool Operation

Source: Lightcast



What training is required?

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • Completion of introductory college or petroleum industry-approved training courses may be required.
  • Certificates in hydrogen sulphide awareness, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) or transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) may be required.
  • Progression to more senior operating positions is possible with experience.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.