15 Oil Field Jobs in Texas Hiring Now (Up to $8,000/Month + Free Housing)

Texas is the heart of the U.S. oil and gas industry – and right now, companies are urgently hiring.

From entry-level oil field jobs with no experience to specialized roles paying over $8,000 per month, there are opportunities for almost anyone willing to work hard.

Many of these jobs come with:

• Free housing and meals
• Paid training programs
• Rotation schedules (2 weeks on / 2 weeks off)
• High overtime pay

If you’ve been searching for “oil field jobs in Texas hiring now”, this guide breaks down the best opportunities you can apply for today.

Why Texas Oil Field Jobs Pay So Much

Texas produces more oil than any other U.S. state, accounting for over 40% of U.S. crude oil production.

The Permian Basin (West Texas) alone produces more than 5 million barrels per day. Because of this:

• Constant demand for workers – drilling, production, pipeline, and refining never stops.
• Remote locations – many jobs are in rural areas, so companies offer housing and meals to attract workers
• Physically demanding work – long hours in harsh conditions command premium pay
• High turnover – companies pay well to retain reliable workers

👉 Employers offer higher pay and benefits to attract and keep workers in the Texas oil patch.

Cities in Texas With the Most Oil Jobs

When you search for jobs, focus on these regions:

Region	Key Cities	Key Basins
West Texas	Midland, Odessa, Pecos	Permian Basin
South Texas	San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Karnes City	Eagle Ford Shale
Houston / Gulf Coast	Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur	Refining, offshore support, midstream
North Texas	Fort Worth	Barnett Shale (natural gas)

👉 Search example: “oil field jobs in Midland TX hiring now” or “Permian Basin roustabout jobs.”

Roustabout (Entry‑Level Oil Field Worker)

Roustabouts are the entry‑level workforce on drilling rigs and production sites.

They perform general labor: cleaning equipment, painting, moving supplies, assisting mechanics, and maintaining the rig’s appearance.

In Texas, roustabouts often work 12‑hour shifts on a schedule like 14 days on / 7 days off or 20/10. Many live in man camps – modular housing with meals, laundry, and transportation provided.

• Salary: $3,500 – $5,500/month
• No experience required – the starting point for most oilfield careers

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Get your TWIC card – not always required for onshore, but many employers prefer it.
• Apply online – use Indeed, Rigzone, or company career sites (e.g., Patterson‑UTI, Nabors, Precision Drilling).
• Prepare for a phone interview – emphasize physical ability, willingness to work long hours, and reliability.
• Complete pre‑employment drug test and physical – mandatory.
• Attend orientation – usually 1–3 days of safety training (paid).
• Go to the field – you’ll be assigned to a crew and a man camp.

Requirements

• Age 18+
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift 75+ lbs
• Clean drug screen – zero tolerance
• No experience needed

Floorhand (Drilling Rig Worker)

Floorhands (also called roughnecks) work on the drill floor – the area where the drilling happens. They handle pipes (making connections), operate tongs, maintain equipment, and assist the driller.

In Texas, floorhands are in high demand as drilling activity surges. Most work rotational schedules (14/14, 20/10) and live in camps or company housing.

• Salary: $4,000 – $6,500/month
• Works directly on drilling rigs – one step above Roustabout

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Start as a roustabout or have comparable industrial experience (6–12 months).
• Learn drilling basics – pipe handling, tong operation, and rig floor safety.
• Apply for floorhand positions – many companies promote from within, but you can also apply directly to drilling contractors.
• Complete required safety training – often company‑specific well control awareness.
• Prove yourself on the floor – advancement to derrickhand or driller comes with reliability.

Requirements

• 6+ months of oilfield experience preferred
• Physical strength – handling heavy tools
• Team orientation – the drill floor is a crew environment

Derrickhand

Derrickhands manage the mud system – the drilling fluid that cools the bit, removes cuttings, and stabilizes the wellbore.

They work at height on the derrick (the tall structure) and are responsible for mixing chemicals, monitoring fluid properties, and maintaining pumps.

This is a skilled mid‑level role typically filled by experienced floorhands.

• Salary: $5,000 – $7,500/month
• Responsible for drilling fluid systems – works on the rig’s derrick

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Gain floorhand experience (1–2 years).
• Learn mud system basics – many companies provide internal training.
• Demonstrate mechanical aptitude and comfort working at heights.
• Apply for Derrickhand openings within your company or with other contractors.
• Complete well‑control certification (IADC WellCAP or similar) – often required.

Requirements

• 1+ years rig experience
• Mechanical skills
• Comfort with heights
• Well‑control certification preferred

Offshore Oil Rig Worker

Offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico are located 50–200 miles off the Texas and Louisiana coasts. Workers live on the rig during their hitch.

Roles range from roustabout to driller, but all offshore workers must complete BOSIET/HUET (helicopter underwater escape) training and hold a TWIC card.

• Salary: $6,000 – $10,000/month
• Rotation‑based work schedule – typically 14/14 or 21/21

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Obtain a TWIC card (essential for port access).
• Get BOSIET certification – some companies sponsor; if not, the cost is $1,500–$2,000.
• Apply to offshore drilling contractors – Transocean, Noble, Diamond Offshore, Ensco (Valaris), etc.
• Pass rigorous physical and drug tests.
• Complete company orientation and helicopter safety training.
• Fly out to the rig from a crew change point (e.g., Houma, LA, or Galveston, TX).

Oil Field Truck Driver (CDL Required)

Truck drivers haul:

• Crude oil from well sites to pipelines or refineries
• Produced water (brine) to disposal wells
• Frac sand to well completion sites
• Equipment (drill pipe, chemicals, etc.)

In the Permian Basin, traffic is heavy, and drivers are in constant demand. Class A CDL with hazmat and tanker endorsements is required for most roles.

• Salary: $5,000 – $8,000/month
• Transport oil, water, sand, and equipment – essential to oilfield logistics

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Obtain Class A CDL (if not already).
• Add hazmat and tanker endorsements – pass written tests and TSA background check.
• Gain 1–2 years of driving experience (some companies will train new CDL graduates).
• Apply to oilfield trucking companies – e.g., Select Energy Services, Vortex, or independent crude carriers.
• Be prepared for long hours and variable schedules; many positions are “on‑call.”

Requirements

• Class A CDL
• Hazmat & tanker endorsements
• Clean driving record
• TWIC card (often required)
• Physical ability to climb on tankers and handle hoses

Pipeline Construction Worker

Pipeline construction workers prepare rights‑of‑way, dig trenches, lay pipe, and assist welders. It’s physically demanding outdoor work.

Many workers start as laborers and advance to equipment operators or welders. Per diem (daily living allowance) is common.

• Salary: $4,500 – $7,000/month
• High demand in Texas, as pipelines expand to move Permian oil

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Apply to pipeline contractors – Michels, Henkels & McCoy, Precision Pipeline, etc.
• Complete safety training – OSHA 10 is often required.
• Pass a drug test and a physical.
• Travel to job sites – pipeline projects move across Texas.
• Work in all weather – heat, cold, rain.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Physical stamina
• Willingness to travel
• OSHA 10 preferred

Heavy Equipment Operator

Operators build drilling pads, access roads, and pipeline trenches.

In Texas, operators often work for oilfield construction companies or drilling contractors. Certification (e.g., NCCCO for cranes) increases pay.

• Salary: $5,000 – $7,500/month
• Operate dozers, excavators, and loaders – essential for pad construction and pipeline

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Complete operator training (vocational program or on‑the‑job).
• Obtain a CDL (preferred for moving equipment).
• Apply to oilfield service companies – H&E, United Rentals, or drilling contractors.
• Pass a drug test and a physical.
• Start as a laborer if needed – many operators cross‑train.

Requirements

• Experience or training
• CDL preferred
• Physical ability to work long hours
• Safety‑conscious

Welding Technician (Pipeline Welder)

Welders join steel pipe for pipelines, rig structures, and tanks.

Certification is key: AWS D1.1, API 1104, or ASME Section IX. Pipeline welders often work on a per‑diem basis and travel to projects.

• Salary: $6,000 – $9,000/month
• One of the highest‑paid trades – critical for pipelines and rigs

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Complete welding school (3–12 months).
• Earn industry certifications – start with AWS D1.1, then API 1104 for pipelines.
• Apply to pipeline contractors – watch for “welders needed” postings.
• Pass weld test – hands‑on test on pipe.
• Join the union – United Association (UA) or IUOE for better pay and benefits.

Requirements

• Certified welder
• Ability to pass a drug test
• Willingness to travel
• Physical stamina

Safety Officer (HSE Specialist)

HSE officers develop safety programs, conduct inspections, train workers, and investigate incidents.

In Texas oilfields, experience matters as much as credentials. Many safety officers come from field backgrounds (e.g., former floorhands) or have degrees in occupational safety.

• Salary: $5,500 – $8,000/month
• Ensures compliance with safety regulations – high demand in Texas

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Obtain OSHA 30 (minimum).
• Earn certifications – CSP (Certified Safety Professional) or NEBOSH are highly valued.
• Gain field experience – understanding operations makes you more effective.
• Apply to operators or service companies.
• Stay current with regulations (OSHA, EPA, API).

Requirements

• OSHA 30
• Field experience (preferred)
• Strong communication
• Attention to detail

Drilling Engineer

Drilling engineers work for operators or drilling contractors. They plan well trajectories, select equipment, optimize drilling parameters, and troubleshoot issues.

In Texas, many work in Houston (corporate) but travel to field locations in the Permian.

• Salary: $7,000 – $12,000/month
• Requires an engineering degree – designs and supervises drilling operations

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Earn a bachelor’s in petroleum or mechanical engineering.
• Complete internships with oil companies.
• Apply to operators (ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips) or service companies.
• Obtain EIT/PE license (optional but beneficial).
• Advance to senior roles with experience.

Requirements

• Engineering degree
• Analytical skills
• Willingness to travel to rigs

Lease Operator (Pumper)

Lease operators (or “pumpers”) are responsible for a set of wells (a “lease”). They check tank levels, monitor equipment, perform basic maintenance, and report production data.

This role is often semi‑local, with operators living in or near the field and working a 5/2 or 8/6 schedule.

• Salary: $4,500 – $6,500/month
• Maintains wells and production equipment – essential for production

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Gain oilfield experience (1+ years).
• Learn production equipment – separators, tanks, pumps.
• Apply to operators (production companies) – e.g., Occidental, EOG, Pioneer.
• Complete required training – often company‑specific.
• Be reliable – production never stops.

Requirements

• 1+ years of oilfield experience
• Mechanical aptitude
• Valid driver’s license (company vehicle provided)
• Ability to work independently

Refinery Operator

Refinery operators monitor and control processes that turn crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other products. They work in control rooms and perform field checks.

Texas has massive refineries in Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi. Operators typically work rotating 12‑hour shifts (e.g., 4 days on, 4 days off).

• Salary: $5,000 – $7,000/month
• Stable long‑term role – primarily in Gulf Coast refineries

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Earn a Process Technology degree (strongly preferred).
• Obtain a TWIC card.
• Apply to refineries – ExxonMobil, Chevron, Valero, Marathon, etc.
• Pass aptitude tests (mechanical reasoning, math).
• Complete paid training (often several months).
• Work rotating shifts – nights, weekends, holidays.

Requirements

• High school diploma (associate degree preferred)
• TWIC card
• Mechanical aptitude
• Shift work availability

Oil Field Electrician

Electricians install and troubleshoot electrical equipment: motors, generators, lighting, control panels, and VFDs (variable frequency drives).

In the oilfield, electricians often work rotational schedules and live in man camps.

• Salary: $5,500 – $8,500/month
• Maintains electrical systems on rigs and production sites

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Complete electrical training – apprenticeship or trade school.
• Obtain journeyman or master electrician license (state of Texas).
• Learn oilfield electrical systems (explosion‑proof, hazardous location).
• Apply to drilling contractors or service companies.
• Be prepared for remote work and long hours.

Requirements

• State electrical license
• Knowledge of hazardous location codes
• Physical ability
• A TWIC card is often required

Mud Logger

Mud loggers work on drilling rigs, collecting and analyzing rock cuttings to help geologists understand formations. They monitor gas levels and drilling parameters.

This is a field science role – often a starting point for geologists or those with earth science degrees.

• Salary: $4,500 – $7,500/month
• Entry‑level science‑related role – monitors drilling fluids and rock cuttings

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Earn a degree in geology, earth science, or a related field (preferred).
• Apply to mud logging companies – e.g., Diversified Well Logging, Geolog, or major service companies.
• Complete safety training (H2S, etc.).
• Work on a rig – often a temporary trailer next to the rig.
• Advance to a geologist or operations geologist with experience.

Requirements

• Geology or science degree (preferred)
• Computer skills
• Willingness to work on rigs
• H2S certification (employer may provide)

Oil Rig Cook / Support Staff

Cooks, stewards, and housekeepers keep the rig or man camp running. They prepare meals, clean living quarters, and maintain sanitation.

These roles are entry‑level and often require no experience – just a willingness to work a rotation.

• Salary: $3,000 – $5,000/month
• Includes free accommodation and meals – essential for remote camps

Step‑by‑Step Guidance

• Obtain a TWIC card (often required for offshore, less so for onshore camps).
• Get food safety certification (ServSafe) – can be done online.
• Apply to drilling contractors, catering companies (Aramark, Sodexo), or man camp operators.
• Pass a drug test and a physical.
• Work your rotation – usually 14 days on, 14 off.

Requirements

• Age 18+
• Food safety certification (can be obtained after hiring)
• Reliable work ethic
• Ability to work in a team

Why Oil Field Jobs in Texas Pay So Much

• Texas produces 40%+ of U.S. oil – constant drilling and production
• Remote locations – companies provide housing and meals to attract workers
• Physically demanding – long hours, extreme heat, heavy lifting
• High turnover – companies pay well to retain reliable workers

👉 Companies offer higher pay and benefits to keep the oil flowing.

Benefits You Can Expect

Many oil companies provide:

• Free housing – man camps with private rooms, laundry, rec rooms
• Daily meals – often 3 hot meals per day
• Transportation – from crew‑change points to rigs/camps
• Overtime pay – time‑and‑a‑half after 40 hours
• Hazard bonuses – for offshore or night shifts

👉 These benefits significantly reduce your living expenses, allowing you to save 80–90% of your paycheck.

How to Get an Oil Field Job With No Experience

• Apply for entry‑level roles – Roustabout, Floorhand, Oil Field Laborer, Cook/Steward.
• Get basic certifications – the TWIC card is the most important. OSHA 10 helps.
• Be physically fit – you’ll be on your feet 12 hours/day in extreme heat or cold.
• Apply to multiple companies daily – consistency is key.
• Be ready to travel – many jobs require relocation to West Texas or the Gulf Coast.

Pro Tip: Create a resume that emphasizes physical labor, reliability, and any safety training. Even if you have no oilfield experience, highlight construction, farming, military, or other demanding jobs.

Best Websites to Apply

• https://www.indeed.com – search “oil field jobs in Texas” with location filters
• https://www.rigzone.com – the industry standard
• https://www.oilandgasjobsearch.com – global oil & gas job board
• Company career sites:
  • Patterson‑UTI (drilling)
  • Nabors (drilling)
  • Halliburton (service)
  • Schlumberger (service)
  • ExxonMobil, Chevron (operators)

Final Thoughts

Oil field jobs in Texas are one of the fastest ways to earn a high income without a degree.
Whether you start as a roustabout or jump into a skilled trade, the path is clear:

• Low barrier to entry – no experience needed for many roles
• Free housing and meals – keep nearly all your earnings
• Fast advancement – reliable workers move up quickly

If you’re serious about changing your financial situation:

👉 Apply to at least 3–5 roles today
👉 Focus on entry‑level positions first – they’re the gateway
👉 Be consistent with applications – the industry moves fast

Your next step: Get your TWIC card if you don’t have one, update your resume to highlight physical work and reliability, and start applying now.