8222-NOC

Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services

(NOC 8222)
Annual Earnings
$98,023
Typical Education Background
Apprenticeship Certificate
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
550

Career Overview

Contractors and supervisors in oil and gas drilling services coordinate and supervise the activities of workers engaged in drilling for oil or gas, operating service rigs or providing oil and gas services.

People in this occupation:

  • Work for drilling and well service contractors and petroleum producing companies
  • Are the senior on-site representative for rig contractors
  • Should have strong leadership, managerial, organizational, communication and mechanical skills
  • Must be comfortable working both independently and in a team
  • Must be quick-thinking and must have the ability to plan and direct the work of others
  • Should be observant, responsible, physically fit and have knowledge of safety procedures

This group includes oilfield consultants who may be self-employed.

Duties

Supervisors in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of workers who drill for oil and gas, operate service rigs or provide oil and gas well services
  • Establish methods to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other stakeholders
  • Request materials and supplies
  • Solve work problems and recommend ways to improve productivity
  • Train workers in job duties, safety procedures and company policies
  • Recommend personnel actions such as hires and promotions
  • Prepare production and other reports
  • May set up machines and equipment

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$98,023

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$65.38/hr
Median$47.00/hr
Low$33.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

900

% Employed Full Time

37%
Source: 2016 Census

Supervisors in this group work around heavy machinery and equipment. A number of potential hazards exist on site relating to large, moving machinery, potentially harmful chemicals and unstable terrain. Given these conditions, workplace safety is at the forefront and all work sites follow strict safety regulations, including wearing eye protection, gloves, hard hats and steel-toed boots.

Many rig sites are located in remote areas. As a result, supervisors may be required to travel and remain on site for extended periods of time. Since work sites are located outdoors, workers may also be exposed to many different types of weather conditions.

Most supervisors in this field work full time. Part-time work is not common and only a small number of supervisors are self-employed. Rigs operate for 24 hours a day and rotating shifts of 8–12 hours are very common, with supervisors potentially working in excess of 40 hours a week. Work hours, job location and travel requirements vary with the employer and the type of job.

Career Pathways

To become a supervisor in this field, workers should gain as much experience, on-the-job training and education as possible. Supervisors may advance to management positions.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Enterprising
Enterprising

Job Titles

Consultant, oil & gas well drilling
Contractor, oilfield / oil and gas
Foreperson, well drilling & servicing
Operator, multi-service - oil field
Rig manager - oil and gas drilling
Superintendent, offshore drilling rig
Supervisor, oil and gas - well service
Toolpusher, offshore drilling rig

Education, Training and Skills

Supervisors are required to have completed secondary school, as well as college or Enform courses. Other training and requirements may include:

  • A two-year college diploma in petroleum engineering technology
  • Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention and well control, waste hazardous materials information system, transportation of dangerous goods or other safety and technical subjects, which are mandatory
  • Considerable experience in all of the junior positions leading up to this position

The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors website at www.caodc.ca also provides detailed education requirements.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Mining and Petroleum (Oil and Gas) Related
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

70%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

69%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

67%
Management of Personnel Resources

Motivating, developing and directing people as they work, and identifying the best people for the job.

66%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

66%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

64%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

64%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

63%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

58%
Persuasion

Convincing others to change their mind or behaviour.

58%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

900
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 40 4.5%
Kootenay 120 5.7%
Mainland/Southwest 210 18.8%
North Coast and Nechako 20 2.8%
Northeast 290 31.8%
Thompson-Okanagan 220 21.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 140 15.9%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

550
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 0 2.3%
Kootenay 40 0.8%
Mainland/Southwest 110 1.8%
North Coast and Nechako 0 4.1%
Northeast 100 1.3%
Thompson-Okanagan 130 1.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 120 3.1%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction12,000
Construction72,700
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services148,000
Manufacturing49,200
Transportation and Warehousing53,400
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Demand for experienced employees in this very small occupational group is expected to grow at an average rate. New job growth will be largely due to rising prices and demand for energy commodities, which prompts companies to increase their workforces to support increased production and exploration activity.

Due to the small size of this occupational group, openings that arise from job creation and retirements will be relatively few. Employees with experience in directional and horizontal drilling projects, as well as large multi-rig jobs should have an advantage in finding work.

Resources