The oilfield has always been known for tough work and good money — and in 2025, that’s still true. If you’re looking to climb the ladder or switch roles for a bigger paycheck, here are the top 5 highest-paying jobs in the oilfield this year.

🛢️ 1. Drilling Consultant – $160K+ / year

💼 Role: Oversees drilling operations, manages safety, crew, and budget
🔧 Skills: Extensive rig experience, leadership, and project management
🌎 Hot Spots: West Texas, offshore Gulf, Alaska

📌 Why It Pays: They’re responsible for everything. Big risk, big reward.

🧭 2. Directional Driller – $120K+ / year

💼 Role: Guides the wellbore during complex horizontal drilling
🔧 Skills: Geo-navigation, MWD/LWD systems, high-pressure experience
🌎 Hot Spots: Permian Basin, Bakken, Marcellus

📌 Why It Pays: Highly technical work with no room for error.

🔥 3. Frac Supervisor – $100K+ / year

💼 Role: Manages frac crews, flowback, pressure, and pump stages
🔧 Skills: Field coordination, safety, frac pump operation
🌎 Hot Spots: New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado

📌 Why It Pays: Fast-paced, high-pressure, and always in demand.

🧰 4. Rig Welder – $90K+ / year

💼 Role: Performs welding repairs on rigs, pipelines, equipment
🔧 Skills: Stick/TIG/MIG welding, field rigging, certifications
🌎 Hot Spots: Anywhere with active drilling — Texas, OK, WY

📌 Why It Pays: Bring your own truck, tools, and hustle — and you can write your own ticket.

📐 5. Field Engineer – $85K+ / year

💼 Role: Supports rig crews with measurements, data, and tech systems
🔧 Skills: STEM background, MWD/LWD tools, reporting
🌎 Hot Spots: Tech-driven fields (Texas, Gulf, Appalachia)

📌 Why It Pays: It’s the new generation of oilfield — less muscle, more brains.