derrickhand
Snapshot
Are you looking for a physically demanding and vital role in the energy sector? As a derrickhand, you'll be at the heart of drilling operations, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of equipment and managing critical fluids.
Derrickhands are essential members of drilling crews, working on oil and gas rigs or similar drilling sites. Your day involves guiding the positioning and movement of drill pipes, often utilizing automated equipment. You’ll also play a crucial role in monitoring and maintaining the quality of drilling fluids, often referred to as 'mud,' which is vital for the drilling process. This role demands precision, physical stamina, and a strong commitment to safety protocols.
- • Positioning and moving drill pipes accurately and safely.
- • Operating and maintaining automated pipe-handling equipment.
- • Monitoring and adjusting drilling fluid properties (density, viscosity, etc.).
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Stationary plant and machine operators — 259 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Czechia, Italy, Latvia and 1 more.
Longest-running shortage: Czechia, 2 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could derrickhand fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Support?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Cooperation?
Future Outlook for derrickhand
The outlook for derrickhand is exceptionally stable. While AI tools will assist with daily tasks, the core of this role relies on human judgment, resulting in a high resilience score of 73%.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could derrickhand change as AI adoption grows?
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could derrickhand change as AI adoption grows?
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- follow safety procedures when working at heights
- work in drilling teams
- monitor drilling fluid
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- control flow of oils
- use rigging equipment
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Supply Chain & Transportation
A typical day as a derrickhand
09 09:00 · Morning control flow of oils
10 10:30 · Mid-morning guide drill pipes
12 12:00 · Midday maintain circulation system
14 14:00 · Afternoon maintain mechanical equipment
15 15:30 · Late afternoon monitor drilling fluid
17 17:00 · Wrap-up use rigging equipment
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
rigging terminology
Terms for lifting equipment, lifting accessories, slings, shackles, wires, ropes, chains, cables and nets.
- mechanical tools
- mechanics
- chemistry
-
monitor drilling fluid
Monitor and maintain the drilling fluids, or "mud". Add different chemicals to the fluid to perform various function in well operations: keep the drill bit cool, provide hydrostatic pressure, etc.
-
maintain mechanical equipment
Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect malfunction. Service, repair, adjust, and test machines, parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical principles. Maintain and repair vehicles meant for cargo, passengers, farming and landscaping.
-
maintain circulation system
Maintain the fluid pumps and circulation systems of an oil pumping system.
-
control flow of oils
Adjust controls to regulate flow of oils through lines and tanks.
-
use rigging equipment
Set up rolling and lifting equipment required to lift and move objects e.g. with a crane or block and tackle system.
-
guide drill pipes
Guide drill pipe in and out of elevators.
-
react to events in time-critical environments
Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.
-
work in drilling teams
Work confidently within a drilling team on a drilling rig or oil platform with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.
-
follow safety procedures when working at heights
Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how derrickhand aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does derrickhand fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of physical demands are involved in being a derrickhand?
- The role is physically demanding, requiring prolonged standing, lifting, and working in potentially challenging weather conditions. You'll need good strength and stamina to handle the manual tasks involved.
- What safety training is typically required for a derrickhand position?
- Safety is paramount. Expect to undergo comprehensive training covering topics like hazard recognition, emergency procedures, and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Specific training requirements can vary by employer and location.
- Is this a career that requires a lot of travel?
- Yes, derrickhand positions often involve working on remote drilling sites, which can require significant travel and periods away from home. The exact amount of travel will depend on the specific employer and project.
- Derrickhand — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 5 of the 7 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Italy, Lithuania and 1 more. Czechia has reported one for 2 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Derrickhand — what does it pay in the United States?
- $62,740 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $45,180 to $86,980. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.