Search online for how-to videos to see how hard this work is to master--and whether it's something you think you'd like. Does seeing this kind of work in action make you more interested in trying it?

Watch tutorials on how to do this kind of work.

Watch an immersive video about what life is like on an off-shore oil rig. Move the camera angle around as you watch for a 360-degree experience!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at life on an oil rig!

Read about benefits of manual labor. While these points are geared toward construction, they can apply to a whole variety of manual labor careers. Does manual labor seem like a path you're interested in?

Explore the benefits of manual labor.

Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

First Interest High-Point

Second Interest High-Point

Third Interest High-Point

Floor hand on an oil rig

"You're only 18, you're not old enough to hang with the real men"

Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed

Construction and Extraction Occupations

Extraction Workers

Keep pipe deck and main deck areas clean and tidy.

Unscrew or tighten pipes, casing, tubing, and pump rods, using hand and power wrenches and tongs.

Walk flow lines to locate leaks, using electronic detectors and by making visual inspections, and repair the leaks.

Move pipes to and from trucks, using truck winches and motorized lifts, or by hand.

Supply equipment to rig floors as requested and provide assistance to roughnecks.

Dismantle and repair oil field machinery, boilers, and steam engine parts, using hand tools and power tools.

Clean up spilled oil by bailing it into barrels.

Dig drainage ditches around wells and storage tanks.

Bolt or nail together wood or steel framework to erect derricks.

Cut down and remove trees and brush to clear drill sites, to reduce fire hazards, and to make way for roads to sites.

Dig holes, set forms, and mix and pour concrete into forms to make foundations for wood or steel derricks.

Adjustable hand wrenches

Air hoists

Air-powered sandblasters

Catheads

Centrifugal pumps

Chipping hammers

Cleaning scrapers

Deck grinders

Ear plugs

Electric hoists

Fall arresting lanyards

Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

Overview

Career

Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career

What Roustabouts, Oil and Gas Do

Other Job Titles Roustabouts, Oil and Gas May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

Overview

Career

Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career

What Roustabouts, Oil and Gas Do

Other Job Titles Roustabouts, Oil and Gas May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Roustabouts, Oil and Gas

Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders

Related Careers

Related Leaders