roustabout
Key facts
Kickstart your career in the oil and gas industry as a roustabout! This foundational role offers hands-on experience maintaining equipment and supporting operations on drilling and production sites.
As a roustabout, you're a vital part of the oil field crew, providing essential support to ensure operations run smoothly. Your days involve a mix of physical labor and equipment maintenance, working both independently and as part of a team. You'll be exposed to a dynamic environment and gain valuable skills applicable to various roles within the energy sector.
- • Maintaining and repairing oil field equipment and machinery using hand and power tools.
- • Performing general labor tasks such as cleaning work areas, digging trenches, and removing debris.
- • Scraping, painting, and preparing rig components for use.
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 roustabout 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 roustabout
The outlook for roustabout reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
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 roustabout change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could roustabout change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
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
- work in drilling teams
- inspect pipelines
- connect oil well heads
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- perform drainage work
- clear drill sites
- clean up spilled oil
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
Construction
A typical day as a roustabout
09 09:00 · Morning connect oil well heads
10 10:30 · Mid-morning maintain pipe deck
12 12:00 · Midday make foundations for derricks
14 14:00 · Afternoon clear drill sites
15 15:30 · Late afternoon deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances
17 17:00 · Wrap-up clean up spilled oil
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
-
electricity
The principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
- mechanics
- electricity
-
inspect pipelines
Walk flow lines to identify damage or leaks; use electronic detection equipment and conduct visual inspections.
-
make foundations for derricks
Construct foundations and assemble wooden or steel framework in order to erect a derrick.
-
adjust tightness of engine parts
Tighten or unscrew engine parts using hand and power tools; maintenance of tubing, casing and connecting rods.
-
clear drill sites
Clear drill site e.g. by cutting down surrounding trees; make way for new roads to drill site.
-
maintain pipe deck
Ensure cleanliness of main deck areas and pipe deck.
-
transport pipes
Transport pipes manually or by operating equipment such as mechanical lifts and truck winches.
-
guide cranes
Guide a crane operator in operating the crane. Stay in contact with the operator visually, vocally, or using communication equipment to make sure the crane operation is completed in a safe and efficient manner.
-
bolt engine parts
Securely bolt together engine components manually or using power tools.
-
maintain oil field machinery
Disassemble, repair or replace oil field equipment such as steam engine components or boilers; use power tools and hand tools.
-
perform drainage work
Dig draining ditches and lay the pipe or gutter installation to allow evacuation of surplus liquid and avoid subsidence or other damage.
-
supply rigging equipment
Supply equipment to rig floors as requested, and provide assistance to roughnecks.
-
connect oil well heads
Prepare oil wellheads for connection to oil stock tanks.
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 roustabout 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 roustabout fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of physical demands are involved in being a roustabout?
- This role requires significant physical exertion. You’ll be lifting, carrying, and maneuvering equipment, often in challenging outdoor conditions. A good level of physical fitness and stamina is essential.
- Are there opportunities for advancement beyond being a roustabout?
- Absolutely! This is a common entry point into the oil and gas industry. With experience and further training, you can progress to roles like mechanic, technician, or even supervisory positions.
- Can I be a roustabout and work independently, or is it always a team effort?
- While roustabouts often work as part of a team, this role is commonly undertaken as a self-employed business. However, most roustabouts find employment with oil and gas companies. You'll frequently be assigned individual tasks while still contributing to the overall team goals.
- Roustabout — 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.
- Roustabout — what does it pay in the United States?
- $47,510 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $44,850 to $60,810. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.