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Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Service Rig Manager, Service Rig Manager, Toolpusher
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Drilling and service rig managers supervise oil and gas rig operations. They are responsible for the overall operation of the rig as well as the efficiency and safety of the rig crews on site. They act as the senior onsite representatives for rig contractors. Specific training requirements for rig management may vary between drilling rigs and service rigs.
In general, rig managers:
Rig managers work in all types of weather. Drilling and service rigs may run year-round, although some areas experience spring break-up. Most rig activity takes place during the winter months, with summer months sometimes being slower. Spring break-up occurs mid-March to mid-June. At this time, provincial road bans prevent equipment from being moved. During this time, the oil and gas industry is slower.
Larger operations often employ 2 drilling rig managers. They split the day into 12-hour shifts. They are always on call and live at the rig site.
A rig manager who is solely in charge must be at the site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In Alberta, oil and gas wells may be in remote areas or near small communities. Most service rig crews travel daily. They usually travel in a 160-kilometre radius of the service rig contractor’s central location. Drilling rig crews move with the rig to new locations. This can mean being away from home for long periods.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in supervising the activities of workers who drill for oil and gas, operate service rigs and provide oil and gas well services; and in requisitioning materials and supplies
Interest in co-ordinating and scheduling the activities of workers; and in resolving work problems
Interest in understanding the functioning of equipment and machinery used in oil and gas drilling and services; may set up machines and equipment
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Rig managers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 27 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 11, 2021 and Jun 24, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Set up machines and equipment | 17 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Oversee safety of operations | 16 |
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 15 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 14 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 14 |
| Health benefits: Disability benefits | 14 |
| Tasks: Supervise, co-ordinate and schedule (and possibly review) activities of workers | 14 |
| Tasks: Prepare and submit reports | 14 |
| Manufacturing Sector Experience: Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers | 13 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 13 |
Rig managers need a valid driver’s licence with air brake endorsements on service rigs. They also need the following certificates. These may be earned through in-house training:
Energy Safety Canada provides training for those who work on drilling and service rigs. Although they are the industry’s safety association, other organizations also offer this training.
Rig managers should also know about the environmental issues related to oil and gas well drilling.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Drilling and service rig managers begin as drilling and service rig personnel. A conscientious, hard-working person with leadership skills can move from rig labourer to rig manager in 8 to 10 years.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 8222: Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services occupational group, 79.8% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 8222: Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 2.4% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 243 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Service and drilling rigs are paid hourly. Service rigs may earn somewhat more than drilling rig managers.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $22.38 | $68.21 | $41.14 | $34.99 |
| Overall | $30.68 | $113.07 | $54.60 | $45.00 |
| Top | $33.00 | $113.07 | $60.21 | $50.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $102,787 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $106,826 |
| Construction | $70,892 |
Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors (CAGC) website: www.cagc.ca
Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) website: caoec.ca
Energy Safety Canada website: www.energysafetycanada.com
PetroLMI, Careers in Energy website: careersinenergy.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
