With talk of a recession and it being tax season, there’s little question these days as to why thoughts often turn to income, and what constitutes a living wage. Getting a handle on the true going rate for the drilling industry has proven tough. There are studies available, however, that give at least an idea of what drillers can expect in the marketplace.
It is important to note that these estimates do not include self-employed workers, nor does the annual wage take into consideration overtime hours, both of which are significant factors in determining an accurate earnings picture for the industry.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Compensation Survey, which polled full-time private industry workers for the period of December 2005 to January 2007, provides a more comprehensive look. The survey reports that, given a 40-hour work week, earth drillers earned on average $16.64 an hour, and made $35,225 yearly. Wages for oil and gas workers were found to be somewhat higher, and those for helpers, as would be expected, lower. Again, overtime and bonuses were not factored into the mean earnings.
We conducted our own version of an occupational wage survey. An informal (read: unscientific) poll at NationalDriller.com asked what helpers earned at respective companies. The results for helpers’ hourly rates:
- Minimum wage to $10 – 19 percent
- $11 to $15 – 43 percent
- $16 to $20 – 20 percent
- $21 to $25 – 9 percent
- More than $25 – 9 percent
The bulk of participants (43%) indicated that helpers at their companies fall into the $11 to $16 an hour bracket, which corresponds to the national average of $11.67. While our poll isn’t scientific, nor anywhere near the scope and caliber of the National Compensation Survey, the results are at least promising, indicating that the majority of helpers (81%) are paid at or well above the national average.
So despite a tentative economy, here’s hoping that the demand for drilling work stays strong, and that profits and wages continue to climb.
For more information on the industry’s employment statistics, visit www.bls.gov.
ND
So despite a tentative economy, here’s hoping that the demand for drilling work stays strong, and that profits and wages continue to climb.
For more information on the industry’s employment statistics, visit www.bls.gov.
ND