Top 20 Best-Paying Jobs in Oil & Gas Production to Fuel Your Career [2025]

Oil and gas production is essential, global, and lucrative. 

Yet—

How often do we consider the people behind the pipelines and rigs that power our lives? 

These are skilled professionals tackling some of the most challenging jobs out there.

But with that challenge comes reward.

Read on to discover which roles offer the highest pay and why these careers might be worth the journey.

High-Paying Jobs in Oil & Gas Production

1. Petroleum Engineer

Average Salary: $100,000 – $200,000
Petroleum engineers develop methods to extract oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. They design drilling methods and equipment, ensuring maximum yield and efficiency from extraction projects.

2. Drilling Engineer

Average Salary: $95,000 – $180,000
Drilling engineers oversee the drilling process for oil wells, from planning to execution. They work on optimizing drilling techniques to reduce costs and improve safety, often collaborating closely with field teams.

3. Reservoir Engineer

Average Salary: $90,000 – $170,000
Reservoir engineers analyze oil and gas fields to estimate reserves and determine efficient extraction techniques. Their work ensures long-term productivity and optimal resource management within an oil field.

4. Production Engineer

Average Salary: $85,000 – $160,000
Production engineers focus on maximizing oil and gas production efficiency by designing and improving extraction equipment and processes. They solve issues in production flow and enhance operational performance.

5. Geoscientist

Average Salary: $80,000 – $150,000
Geoscientists study the Earth’s physical structure to locate oil and gas resources. By analyzing geological data, they help identify promising drilling sites and assess the quality and quantity of resources available.

6. Operations Manager

Average Salary: $75,000 – $145,000

Operations managers oversee daily field activities, ensuring safety and efficiency. They coordinate with different teams, handle budgets, and ensure compliance with industry standards for smooth production operations.

7. Health and Safety Manager

Average Salary: $70,000 – $140,000
Health and safety managers develop and implement policies to maintain a safe working environment. They conduct risk assessments, oversee safety training, and ensure regulatory compliance in high-risk areas.

8. Pipeline Engineer

Average Salary: $65,000 – $130,000
Pipeline engineers design and maintain pipelines for transporting oil and gas. Their work involves assessing risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and monitoring the pipeline network for safe and efficient flow.

9. Mud Logger

Average Salary: $60,000 – $120,000
Mud loggers monitor drilling fluids, providing critical information about rock and fluid composition. They assist in detecting drilling problems and ensuring smooth operations by analyzing data from rock samples.

10. Field Engineer

Average Salary: $55,000 – $110,000
Field engineers work onsite to troubleshoot equipment issues, oversee installations, and ensure all field activities align with engineering standards. They’re often on call to solve technical challenges on the spot.

11. Landman

Average Salary: $50,000 – $105,000
Landmen negotiate land leases for exploration and production rights. They manage contracts, deal with landowners, and secure the legal groundwork for oil and gas extraction projects.

12. Refinery Operator

Average Salary: $50,000 – $100,000
Refinery operators manage equipment at oil refineries, monitoring production and controlling systems to process crude oil into refined products like gasoline. Their role ensures efficient, continuous production.

13. Environmental Specialist

Average Salary: $50,000 – $95,000
Environmental specialists ensure oil and gas operations comply with environmental regulations. They monitor emissions, handle waste management, and develop policies for minimizing environmental impact.

14. Rotary Drill Operator

Average Salary: $45,000 – $90,000
Rotary drill operators handle drilling machinery to reach oil and gas deposits. They set up, monitor, and adjust equipment, often working in harsh conditions to achieve efficient drilling results.

15. Mechanical Engineer

Average Salary: $45,000 – $85,000
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and maintain equipment used in oil extraction and processing. Their expertise ensures machinery functions safely and efficiently, reducing downtime.

16. Heavy Equipment Operator

Average Salary: $40,000 – $80,000
Heavy equipment operators run machinery like bulldozers and cranes to support drilling operations. Their role is vital for maintaining safe, functional work sites, particularly in remote and challenging areas.

17. Electrical Technician

Average Salary: $40,000 – $75,000
Electrical technicians install and maintain electrical systems in oil and gas facilities. Their work is crucial for preventing power disruptions and maintaining operational safety.

18. Welder

Average Salary: $35,000 – $70,000
Welders join and repair metal structures and pipelines, ensuring the integrity of infrastructure used in extraction and transportation. Their work is vital in high-pressure environments.

19. Chemical Technician

Average Salary: $30,000 – $65,000
Chemical technicians support chemical engineers in testing and analyzing samples for quality control in refining processes. Their work maintains standards and helps optimize production.

20. Safety Technician

Average Salary: $30,000 – $60,000
Safety technicians support health and safety initiatives by inspecting equipment, enforcing regulations, and ensuring that safety protocols are followed across operations.

Manisha Saini

Manisha is a digital writer providing guidance in career development and growth. She facilitates skill development and implementation of the right strategies for advancement. At Jobera, She documents content around the latest market trend analysis, insights, and career planning.

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