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Derrickhand, Driller, Operator, Floorhand, Leasehand, Motorhand, 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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Drilling rig personnel set up and use drilling rigs to explore viable sites for producing oil, gas, helium, potash, lithium, and hydrogen. Each rig consists of a derrick, draw-works, and other surface equipment to drill a wellbore down into the earth. After the drilling rig reaches the target formation, it is dismantled and removed from the site, and then a service rig moves onsite to complete the well.
Service rigs maintain, complete, and abandon wells. They are fully mobile units, carrying the derrick and rig floor to well sites. Service rig personnel drive rig equipment in convoy with other service rig vehicles from one well location to another.
On a drilling rig, there are several positions from junior to senior, including leasehand, floorhand, motorhand, derrickhand, and driller.
On a service rig, there are typically three positions from junior to senior, including floorhand, derrickhand, and operator/driller.
Leasehands perform housekeeping tasks, such as:
Floorhands:
Motorhands:
Derrickhands:
On drilling rigs, derrickhands:
On service rigs, derrickhands:
Drillers or Operators:
Working conditions vary with the tasks performed, rig location, and weather conditions. Rig personnel mostly work outdoors, often year-round in remote locations. They may be exposed to extremes in weather as well as the dirt, dust, noise, and fumes common around a rig.
Work schedules vary with industry demand. Some personnel work 2 weeks followed by a week off. Drilling and service rig crews usually work 12-hour shifts, which include commuting time to and from work. While on shift, the crews may stay in a camp or a nearby hotel, or they may go home after their shift.
The work is physically demanding and may involve lifting items weighing over 25 kilograms. Workplace hazards include working on slippery rig floors, working near or with heavy tools, and moving machinery. Rig personnel must follow standard safety practices. They must take part in safety meetings and emergency procedure drills.
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 controlling the operations of drilling and service rig drilling and hoisting machinery
Interest in speaking with members of rig crew to direct them in setting up rigs, drilling and completing and servicing oil and gas exploration and producing wells
Interest in compiling information to maintain records of drilling and servicing operations
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.
Interest in controlling and maintaining drilling mud systems and pumps during drilling and mixing of mud chemicals and additives; and in operating and maintaining diesel motors, transmissions and other mechanical equipment
Interest in compiling information to record mud flows and volumes and to take samples; and in assisting in setting up, taking down and transporting rigs
Interest in speaking with floor hands and labourers to supervise their activities
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.
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
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.
Drilling and service rig personnel need:
They should enjoy working with equipment and machinery, compiling information, and keeping records. They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for their work.
Individuals who are not at ease at heights should not become derrickhands.
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 94 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2021 and May 02, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 66 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 60 |
| Hand-eye co-ordination | 59 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 58 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 58 |
| Tasks: Ensure safety procedures are followed | 57 |
| Attention to detail | 56 |
| Work under pressure | 56 |
| Teleworking Information: On the road job | 56 |
| Work Site Environment: Wet/damp | 53 |
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 126 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2021 and May 02, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 84 |
|---|---|
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 83 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 83 |
| Attention to detail | 83 |
| Work Setting: Various locations | 79 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Standard First Aid Certificate | 78 |
| Computer Systems: Willing to travel | 77 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Hydrogen Sulphide Awareness (H2S) Certificate | 77 |
| Handling heavy loads | 74 |
| Teleworking Information: On the road job | 73 |
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 149 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2021 and May 02, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 124 |
|---|---|
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 123 |
| Attention to detail | 122 |
| Cranes (Assemble, Erect, Jump, Dismantle): Alberta | 107 |
| Security and Safety: Drug test | 106 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 105 |
| Handling heavy loads | 105 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Hydrogen Sulphide Awareness (H2S) Certificate | 105 |
| Work Site Environment: Noisy | 101 |
| Experience: Will train | 99 |
Drilling and service rig personnel acquire the skills and knowledge they need by learning on the job and taking courses. Often the minimum education required for an entry-level job is grade 10. However, a high school diploma may be an asset for advancement.
Employers require applicants to:
Motorhands, derrickhands, and drillers must have an unrestricted Class 5 driver’s licence.
Once employed, workers earn additional required certifications through in-house training:
Energy Safety Canada (ESC) provides safety training for drilling and service rig crews. It is the industry’s safety association, but other organizations also offer this training.
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 program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
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
Companies that own drilling or service rigs contract their equipment and services to producers to drill their wells.
Some rigs operate year round, but employment in this occupation may be seasonal. Winter is the busiest season for drilling activity. Late fall and early winter are the best times for applicants with no experience to inquire about openings.
Entry level drilling and service rig positions have few requirements and can be a stepping-stone to other employment opportunities in the energy industry.
New employees on a drilling rig start as leasehands or floorhands. With on-the-job training, a positive attitude, and the ability to learn quickly, they can advance to motorhand, derrickhand, and driller positions.
Experienced drilling and service rig personnel may become rig managers or move into management positions in other areas of the energy industry. For example, a conscientious, hard-working person with leadership skills can move from leasehand to rig manager in 8 to 10 years. Some experienced drilling rig personnel may be hired by specialist companies as mud technicians or directional drillers. Others may move into related equipment sales or training, regulatory, or safety positions.
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.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
2016 NOC: 8232
79.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators
2016 NOC: 8412
85.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers
2016 NOC: 8615
79.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
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 examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
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 examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
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 examples, see Note.
Frequent recruitment is needed to deal with employment turnover, especially as members of the baby boomer 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) has a recommended wage schedule for oilwell work. However, wages vary between employers and other types of wells. Wages are similar between employers for entry level positions. Some employers offer bonuses but employment may not be year-round.
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 | $21.63 | $50.30 | $33.53 | $30.00 |
| Overall | $27.33 | $50.00 | $40.40 | $42.00 |
| Top | $28.00 | $86.54 | $57.67 | $51.96 |
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 | $78,201 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $79,318 |
| Construction | $67,354 |
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 | $17.69 | $48.08 | $29.09 | $28.00 |
| Overall | $21.72 | $55.52 | $33.54 | $32.00 |
| Top | $26.50 | $66.67 | $37.55 | $36.00 |
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 | $65,187 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $64,383 |
| Construction | $64,172 |
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.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $31.00 | $22.83 | $22.00 |
| Overall | $20.00 | $34.65 | $27.33 | $27.70 |
| Top | $23.12 | $39.75 | $30.29 | $29.00 |
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 | $51,834 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $48,998 |
| Construction | $52,648 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $49,018 |
Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) website: caoec.ca
Energy Safety Canada website: www.energysafetycanada.com
Careers in Energy website: careersinenergy.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. 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.
