BLS Roustabouts Oil And Gas Annual Wage 2024 Revealed
- 01. BLS roustabouts oil and gas annual wage 2024 breakdown
- 02. 2024 BLS wage snapshot for roustabouts
- 03. Comparative wage table by experience level
- 04. How the BLS 2024 wage data was collected
- 05. Regional differences in roustabout pay
- 06. Experience-based pay progression
- 07. Offshore vs. onshore roustabout pay
- 08. Tips for job seekers using BLS 2024 data
BLS roustabouts oil and gas annual wage 2024 breakdown
As of the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics "Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates" release for May 2024, the median annual wage for roustabouts, oil and gas in the United States sits at approximately **$46,720 per year**, or about **$22.46 per hour** under a standard 2,080-hour work year. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported wages for workers classified under SOC code 47-5071 ("Roustabouts, Oil and Gas"), meaning half of those workers earn more and half earn less, and it reflects both onshore and offshore operations across producing regions.
2024 BLS wage snapshot for roustabouts
According to the May 2024 occupational wage data, the roustabouts oil and gas wage distribution is highly skewed by region, rotation schedules, and overtime, but the national median remains anchored in the mid-$40,000s. At the 10th percentile, reported annual wages fall below roughly **$37,000**, while the 90th percentile exceeds **$64,000**, illustrating how experience, premium rotations, and location can push total compensation significantly above the baseline.
For those working in high-activity basins such as the Permian (West Texas/New Mexico), the Eagle Ford (South Texas), and the Bakken (North Dakota), typical advertised wage ranges for entry-level roustabouts often span **$40,000-$60,000 per year in base pay**, with many operators structuring compensation around 12-hour shifts and 14-on/14-off or 28-on/28-off schedules that inflate annualized take-home income. These site-specific pay bands are not always reflected in the headline BLS median, which is why savvy job seekers are advised to cross-check local wage surveys, union benchmarks, and regional job boards alongside the federal data.
Comparative wage table by experience level
The table below illustrates a realistic, BLS-aligned wage progression for roustabouts oil and gas workers, combining national medians with regional estimates and private-sector survey data. Figures are annualized and rounded for clarity, and assume standard 12-hour shifts plus measured overtime exposure.
| Experience tier | Typical annual wage (BLS-aligned) | Effective hourly equivalent* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (0-1 year) | $37,000-$42,000 | $17.50-$20.00 | Includes training phases, lower-premium shifts, and limited overtime. |
| Early career (1-3 years) | $45,000-$52,000 | $21.50-$25.00 | Regular overtime, regional differentials, and basic competency bonuses. |
| Mid-career (3-7 years) | $52,000-$62,000 | $25.00-$30.00 | Shift leadership, rotation-based premiums, and safety or performance incentives. |
| Experienced / senior (7+ years) | $62,000-$75,000+ | $30.00-$36.00+ | Offshore-style rotations, supervisory duties, and long-duration contracts. |
*Hourly equivalent assumes about 2,000-2,200 hours worked annually, adjusted for 12-hour shifts and overtime. Actual BLS wage data is shown in Table 1 of the May 2024 OES release under SOC 47-5071.
How the BLS 2024 wage data was collected
The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles the roustabouts oil and gas annual wage statistics through its Occupational Employment and Wage Survey (OEWS), which samples non-farm establishments across the U.S., including drilling contractors, integrated majors, and smaller independent operators. Survey enumerators collect wage and employment data at the site level, then aggregate results by SOC code, geography, and NAICS industry, producing the May 2024 wage tables that many media outlets and job boards reference.
One important nuance is that the headline BLS figure primarily reflects base hourly wages and straight-time pay, not the full picture of oilfield compensation. Many roustabouts earn substantial incremental income through overtime, shift differentials, per-diem stipends, and performance bonuses, which can push total annual earnings 20-40% above the reported median without altering the official BLS wage band.
- Base pay for roustabouts in May 2024 is roughly **$22.46/hour** at the national median.
- Overtime commonly moves effective hourly rates into the **$28-$36/hour** range on 12-hour shifts.
- Offshore and remote-site rotations may add **$5,000-$15,000 in annualized premiums** per worker.
Regional differences in roustabout pay
Regional variation in roustabouts oil and gas wages is driven by local labor supply, regulatory costs, and proximity to active play geologies, with the BLS documenting distinct wage bands by state and metropolitan area. For example, Texas and Louisiana-home to the Gulf Coast refining corridor and major offshore activity-often report median roustabout wages slightly above the national benchmark, while some inland states sit below due to lower day-rate competition and fewer high-pay operators.
A localized snapshot from 2024 wage data shows that roustabouts in Florida average about **$56,350 per year**, or roughly **$27.09/hour**, whereas workers in West Virginia's Wheeling area cluster around **$51,110 annually**, or **$24.57/hour**, reflecting differing labor-market conditions and exposure to larger operators. These figures are corroborated by state-specific wage files released by BLS and third-party aggregators, which break down pay by experience tier and job tenure.
In high-intensity regions such as North Dakota's Bakken Shale, state-level career-profile summaries indicate that mid-career roustabouts earn closer to **$55,000-$60,000 per year**, with senior hands occasionally surpassing **$70,000** when including overtime and retention bonuses. This suggests that while the national median hovers near **$46,720**, local hotspots can support a 20-30% premium for roustabouts oil and gas workers willing to relocate.
Experience-based pay progression
Roustabout compensation generally follows a clear ladder from entry-level helper to senior fieldhand, with each rung tied to demonstrated safety performance, technical proficiency, and time on the job. The surge in shale-driven activity after 2010 placed upward pressure on roustabouts oil and gas wages, leading many operators to standardize 12-hour shifts and structured progression programs tied to training milestones.
A typical progression might look like this:
- Entry-level roustabout (0-1 year): Focus on basic rig-site tasks such as cleaning, painting, and light equipment handling; national BLS-aligned median close to **$37,000-$42,000 per year**.
- Junior roustabout (1-3 years): Increased responsibility for maintenance and safety checks; median pay rises to about **$45,000-$52,000 annually**, with some operators adding small retention bonuses.
- Mid-career roustabout (3-7 years): Regular overtime, shift leadership, and exposure to higher-risk environments; effective annual income often reaches **$52,000-$62,000**, and some workers begin rotating into offshore or directional-drilling crews.
- Senior/experienced roustabout (7+ years): Widely used for complex maintenance, coatings, and automation support; top earners in this bracket can exceed **$70,000-$90,000 per year** when including all contingencies and per-diem structures.
Offshore vs. onshore roustabout pay
Offshore roustabout roles often command higher day-rate structures than onshore counterparts, even though the BLS aggregates both under the same SOC code. For example, offshore roustabouts on 14-on/14-off rotations frequently earn day rates in the **$250-$310 range**, which annualizes to roughly **$45,000-$57,500** for a standard 182-day work year, before adding bonuses and per-diem.
Senior offshore roustabouts with 5+ years in the role can see median day rates around **$360**, pushing annualized pay toward **$65,000-$72,500**, especially when operators provide additional housing, travel, and hazard pay. This offshore-premium structure helps explain why anecdotal reports from Gulf of Mexico and deepwater projects often cite higher total compensation than the BLS headline roustabouts oil and gas annual wage.
Tips for job seekers using BLS 2024 data
For job seekers evaluating roustabouts oil and gas annual wage 2024 offers, the BLS figure serves as a sanity check rather than a ceiling. Candidates should always ask employers to break down base wage, overtime expectations, shift differentials, housing or per-diem, and any performance bonuses to reconstruct a realistic annualized total.
Additionally, comparing local wage benchmarks-such as state-specific roustabout pay in Texas, Louisiana, or North Dakota-against the BLS median can reveal whether a given operator is competitively positioned or lagging the market. Armed with this contextualized view of the **$46,720 median wage**, workers in the roustabout role can negotiate more effectively and choose opportunities that align with their desired lifestyle and income targets.
Helpful tips and tricks for Bls Roustabouts Oil And Gas Annual Wage 2024 Revealed
What is the BLS roustabouts oil and gas median wage for 2024?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual wage for roustabouts, oil and gas at approximately **$46,720 per year** for May 2024, with the 10th percentile below **$37,000** and the 90th percentile above **$64,000**, reflecting a wide spread influenced by experience, region, and overtime.
Do roustabouts oil and gas earn more with overtime?
Yes; many roustabouts in active basins regularly earn **20-40% above the BLS median wage** when overtime, shift differentials, and rotation premiums are included, because standard 12-hour shifts and 14-on/14-off schedules significantly increase annualized hours worked.
Which states pay the highest roustabouts oil and gas wages?
States with the highest reported roustabouts oil and gas wages in 2024 include Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, and parts of inland natural-gas-rich states, where median pay often exceeds **$50,000-$55,000 per year** and senior hands can clear **$65,000+** with overtime and remote-site bonuses.
How much do entry-level roustabouts oil and gas make?
Entry-level roustabouts oil and gas typically earn between **$37,000 and $42,000 per year** in base wages, with many new hands starting closer to $37,000 and receiving incremental raises as they complete safety certifications and on-the-job training.
Can roustabouts oil and gas reach six-figure pay?
While standard BLS medians for roustabouts oil and gas remain below $75,000 per year, some workers can approach or briefly exceed six-figure annualized income when combining overtime-heavy rotations, per-diem stipends, and performance bonuses, though this is not typical for the median worker.
Are offshore roustabouts paid more than onshore?
Yes; offshore roustabouts typically earn higher day-rate wages and receive additional per-diem and rotation-based premiums, which can boost their effective annualized pay above comparable onshore roustabout oil and gas roles, even though the BLS combines both categories in its occupational data.