Drilling Rig Leasehand and Floorhand
Leasehands and floorhands perform general labourer duties on rigs that drill oil and gas wells and case wells with pipe.
Floorhand, Leasehand, Oil and Gas Well Drilling Rig Leasehand/Floorhand, Roughneck
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:
Starting | $22.89 |
---|---|
Overall | $25.21 |
Top | $29.02 |
Interest in comparing information to handle, sort and move drill tools, pipes, cement and other materials, and to clean up rig areas; may drive trucks to transport materials and well service equipment
Interest in operating equipment to manipulate sections of pipes and drill stems at rig floors during drilling and for removal and replacement of strings of pipes, drill stems and bits
Interest in maintaining drilling equipment on drill floors
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 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.
Leasehands are the most junior members of a drilling crew. They may:
Floorhands spend a lot of time working on the rig floor. There often are two floorhands on a crew but smaller rigs may have only one. In general, floorhands:
Working conditions vary depending on rig locations and weather conditions. Leasehands and floorhands work outdoors, often year round in remote locations, exposed to extremes in weather as well as to the dirt, dust, noise and fumes common around rigs.
The work is physically demanding and may involve lifting items that weigh over 20 kilograms. Because the work is potentially hazardous, all drilling crew members must think and act quickly, always follow standard safety practices, and participate in safety meetings and emergency procedure drills. Hazards include:
Drilling rig workers are responsible for their own transportation to the work site and are expected to move with the rig to new locations. Rigs frequently move throughout western Canada. Drilling rig workers typically work 12 hour shifts over a two week period while staying in camps or nearby towns. They get a week off between two week shift rotations.
Leasehands and floorhands need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy working with equipment and machinery, working in a team environment, and having clear rules and guidelines for their work.
Drilling rig personnel acquire the skills and knowledge they need by learning on the job and taking courses. High school graduation is not required for employment as a leasehand or floorhand but may be an asset for further advancement.
Employers require applicants to:
The following additional certification also is required for drilling rig workers in Alberta but may be provided by employers through in-house training:
Enform in Calgary and Nisku (near Edmonton) is the oil and gas industry's safety association and provides training for drilling and service rig crews.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Leasehands and floorhands are employed by oil and gas well drilling contractors. Some rigs operate year round but employment often is seasonal. Winter is the busiest season for drilling activity. Late fall and early winter are the best times for inexperienced applicants to inquire about upcoming job openings.
The most important requirements for advancement on drilling rigs are on-the-job training, a positive team attitude and the ability to learn new things quickly. New employees start as leasehands or floorhands and later advance to motorhand, derrickhand and driller positions. For more information about these occupations, see the Rig Technician occupational profile. A conscientious, hard working individual who has good leadership skills can move from a leasehand position to that of rig manager in eight to ten years.
Leasehands and floorhands are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 8615: Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers. In Alberta, 80% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 4,500 Albertans are employed in the Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 41 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As drilling rig leasehands and floorhands form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for drilling rig leasehands and floorhands.
Although expected occupational growth is below average, frequent recruitment is needed to deal with employment turnover, especially as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years. Experienced employees are in high demand to deal with vacancies.
The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) last issued a recommended wage schedule in October 2014 and suggests a wage of:
When they are working away from home, leasehands and floorhands also may be paid a living or subsistence allowance ranging from $50 a day when in camp to $140 a day where there is no camp.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $13.00 | $29.00 | $22.89 | $25.00 |
Overall | $15.50 | $30.00 | $25.21 | $25.70 |
Top | $18.00 | $42.00 | $29.02 | $27.70 |
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* 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.
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.
Oil & Gas Extraction | $60,044 |
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ALL INDUSTRIES | $55,841 |
Construction | $54,561 |
Transportation and Warehousing | $51,003 |
Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) website: www.caodc.ca
Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) employment information websites: www.rigtech.ca and www.servicerigdrive.ca
Enform website: www.enform.ca
Petroleum Human Resources (PHR) Carrers in Oil and Gas (COG) website: www.careersinoilandgas.com
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 30, 2015. 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.