Oilfield Maintenance Jobs: Skills, Pay, and Growth
- Christina Queeni
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Oilfield maintenance jobs are the backbone of safe and efficient oil & gas operations. While drilling crews often get the spotlight, maintenance professionals ensure that rigs, equipment, and facilities run reliably preventing costly downtime and dangerous failures.
From mechanical repairs to electrical troubleshooting, oilfield maintenance roles offer stable employment, strong pay, and long-term career growth, especially for workers with technical skills.
What are Oilfield Maintenance jobs?
Oilfield maintenance jobs involve the inspection, repair, and upkeep of equipment and infrastructure used in oil & gas operations. These roles exist across:
Drilling rigs (onshore & offshore)
Production facilities
Workover and well servicing sites
Pipelines and processing plants
Maintenance teams work before failures happen, making their role critical for safety, compliance, and productivity.
Common oilfield maintenance roles
Some of the most in-demand maintenance jobs include:
Maintenance Technician
Mechanical Technician / Mechanic
Electrical Technician
Instrumentation Technician
Maintenance Supervisor
Facilities Maintenance Technician
Rig Maintenance Crew
Pump & Compressor Technician
These roles may be rotational, shift-based, or camp-based depending on location.
Key skills required for Oilfield maintenance jobs
To succeed in oilfield maintenance, workers typically need a mix of technical, safety, and practical skills.
Technical Skills
Mechanical systems troubleshooting
Electrical systems and motors
Hydraulics and pneumatics
Preventive maintenance procedures
Equipment inspection and diagnostics
Safety Skills
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
Permit to Work (PTW)
Confined Space Awareness
Electrical Safety
Hot Work Awareness
H2S Awareness
Soft Skills
Problem-solving under pressure
Team communication
Time management
Attention to detail
Certifications that help maintenance workers
Having recognized safety and technical certifications can significantly improve hiring chances:
IADC RigPass
OSHA Safety Training
Electrical Safety Awareness
LOTO Procedures
Confined Space Awareness
Fire Safety & Emergency Response
Many employers prefer candidates who are job-ready with certifications before mobilization.
Oilfield Maintenance job pay (Average)
Pay varies by country, experience, and location, but typical ranges include:
Role | Estimated Pay |
Maintenance Technician | $55,000 – $85,000 / year |
Mechanical Technician | $60,000 – $95,000 / year |
Electrical Technician | $65,000 – $100,000 / year |
Maintenance Supervisor | $80,000 – $120,000+ / year |
Career growth in oilfield maintenance
Oilfield maintenance offers clear progression paths, such as:
Technician → Senior Technician
Senior Technician → Maintenance Supervisor
Supervisor → Maintenance Manager
Transition into Reliability Engineering or Asset Management
Many professionals also use maintenance roles as a gateway into higher technical or leadership positions.
Why oilfield maintenance jobs are underrated
Despite strong pay and stability, maintenance jobs are often overlooked because they:
Don’t involve drilling directly
Operate behind the scenes
Require strong technical discipline
In reality, maintenance failures can shut down entire operations, making these roles essential and highly respected within the industry.
How to get started in oilfield maintenance
To enter oilfield maintenance:
Build mechanical or electrical skills
Complete required safety training
Gain hands-on experience
Apply through oilfield service companies
Keep certifications up to date
Online safety training makes it easier to get site-ready quickly.
At LearnToDrill, we offer industry-recognized oilfield safety and awareness courses designed to help maintenance professionals meet employer requirements.
✔ Fully online & self-paced
✔ Certificates upon completion
✔ Oilfield & general safety courses
👉 Explore our courses and start your oilfield maintenance career today
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