Top 15 Best Paying Jobs In Oil/Gas Transmission (Updated 2023)

Taking into account the rising need for gas and oil, particularly natural gas. These well-paying positions will probably continue to be in high demand in the future.

For those who are interested in a wide range of scientific, technical, and mechanical tasks, the oil sector provides various lucrative careers. For people looking for work in the oil sector, there are a number of high-paying career routes with various educational and experience requirements.

Looking for a new job is always a stressful but exciting time. One of the most important factors that are going to influence your decision will always be the salary potential in any given sector.

With that in mind, we’re going to be taking a look at the top 15 best-paying jobs in oil/gas transmission.

What Is An Oil/Gas Transmission Job?

Before we get into the options that are out there, we should first give an overview of what this industry is all about. Oil and gas transmission jobs are any and all roles that are involved in the extraction, distribution, and sale of natural oil or gas.

That could range from engineers and operators on the rigs themselves to managers and analysts within larger energy companies that ensure the output is as expected and materials are fetching the right price all over the world. There are a wide variety of different skill sets that can be highly useful within the industry, and there is a specific role out there for almost anybody. 

Are Oil/Gas Transmission Jobs a Good Career Path?

If you are looking for a career that has longevity and a lot of earning potential, then oil and gas transmission is definitely going to be an area of interest. There is a huge amount of money in energy production, particularly when it comes to fossil fuels, and it is a resource that the entire globe is highly dependent on.

While there has been a shift towards renewable energy in recent years, the demand for oil and gas is still astronomically high, and the prices just keep increasing. It is becoming more and more competitive within the oil and gas sector, which means companies are offering increasingly high salaries, and most roles have a significant amount of progression available. 

Best Paying Jobs In Oil/Gas Transmission

You will also like these other popular best paying jobs:

• Best Paying Jobs in Oilfield Services/Equipment
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• Best Paying Jobs in Electric Utilities Central
• Best Paying Jobs in Finance Consumer Services   
• Best Paying Jobs in Public Utilities    

1. Oil And Gas Mechanical Engineer

Median Salary: $124,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 5%

In general, Mechanical Engineers research, design, develop, manufacture, and install mechanical systems. In the world of oil and gas, that means delivering sound guidance on the utilization of various machinery to support operations both onshore and offshore.

They are usually a step above Project Engineers and are responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of technical integrity are achieved and that all members of the engineering team have access to the expertise and knowledge that they require. Mechanical Engineers also liaise between various teams and professionals to make sure that all requirements are taken into consideration.

This role usually starts at around $99,000 but can reach as much as $149,000 per year.

2. Finance Manager

Median Salary: $124,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree and/or Professional Accounting Qualification

Projected Growth: 9%

Finance Managers are in charge of financial planning, reporting, and accounting for companies within the oil and gas sector. Their aim is to improve the performance of the business and support management in making informed decisions and achieving financial objectives.

The responsibilities of the role include preparing budgets and financial plans, reporting on business performance, and being heavily involved in the auditing of financial statements. Ultimately, it is a Finance Manager’s job to make sure that the company is making a suitable return on its investments.

On the lower end, Finance Managers can still expect to earn a salary of around $97,000, while the highest base salary can be as much as $155,000.

3. Oil and Gas Construction Manager

Median Salary: $119,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 8%

A Construction Manager, as the title suggests, is responsible for the overall management of construction projects. Within oil and gas, there are a wide variety of significant construction projects that require staffing, planning, goal setting, and performance evaluation. All of these elements come under the responsibilities of the Construction Manager, and you will typically oversee multiple projects at once.

To gain this role, you usually need a bachelor’s degree and at least a few years of relevant experience in the field, although more extensive experience and a High School Diploma can also qualify in certain instances.

The starting salary usually ranges from around $103,000 to $136,000, and there is room for progression as you gain more experience.

4. Drilling Operations Supervisor

Median Salary: $117,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Significant Experience

Projected Growth: 16%

There are a number of highly-paid positions in oil and gas that do not require a particularly high level of education to get started but are usually only available to those with multiple years of experience. A Drilling Operations Supervisor is one of these roles, that typically becomes available once you have around 3 years of experience in a related area.

Drilling Operations Supervisors are in charge of supervising the drilling crew and all of the daily drilling operations. This can be on an oil rig, at a gas extraction site, or even in the geothermal field.

They are responsible for troubleshooting issues, ensuring proper use and maintenance of vital equipment, and keeping the essential drilling activity as efficient and smooth as possible. Jobs usually start at around $102,000 per year going up to $136,000 for higher-paid positions.

5. Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager

Median Salary: $116,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 12%

It should come as no surprise that health, safety, and environmental concerns are extremely important for oil and gas operations. HSE Managers are in charge of the design, implementation, and coordination of policies and programs related to the health and safety of various projects as well as the potential impact on the environment.

This involves ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations, identifying and implementing best practices, creating training programs, coaching, and performing surveys and inspections. A bachelor’s degree in health and safety is usually a requirement for the position, as well as multiple years of experience.

The starting salary for an HSE Manager in oil and gas is usually around $108,000 but can be as high as $140,000 or more.

6. Petroleum Geologist

Median Salary: $112,000

Education: Ph. D.

Projected Growth: 16%

There are a number of highly specialized scientific roles within the oil and gas industry, one of the most important of which is that of a Petroleum Geologist. They are highly qualified professionals that are experts in locating, estimating, and extracting resources of oil and natural gas.

Among the factors that Petroleum Geologists need to be able to determine about a resource are the origin, position, amount available, maturity or concentration, movement, and obstacles to extraction. To do this, they need to utilize a number of techniques such as geochemical analysis and ground-based sonar.

A high level of education is generally required, and some states also ask for a particular license to be obtained through an accredited agency. Starting salaries for this role can be around $98,000 but some of the most experienced positions offer $175,000 or more.

7. Oil and Gas Chemical Engineer

Median Salary: $106,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 14%

Chemical Engineers are responsible for the development and implementation of new industrial processing, as well as designing new plants and equipment or making modifications to the equipment that is currently being used.

In the oil and gas industry. Chemical Engineers ensure that petroleum and oil materials are properly managed, they maintain the systems in chemical and industrial plants, and they oversee the use of chemicals that convert crude oil into its usable form. 

The starting salary for a Chemical Engineer in oil and gas typically ranges from around $97,000 to about $115,000, but more experienced engineers can advance to an even higher pay scale.

8. Project Manager

Median Salary: $105,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 7%

Almost every industry relies on Project Managers to provide leadership and ensure that all projects are carried out as smoothly as possible – and the oil and gas industry is no different.

Project Managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing oil and gas projects, which means being in charge of a complex and dynamic team as well as attending reviews, examining contracts, and following company and industry standards. 

Entry-level positions in oil and gas Project Management usually start at around $78,000 while more experienced managers may earn more than $160,000 per year.

9. Geophysicist

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Median Salary: $103,000 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 4%

Geophysicists are scientists that study the physical aspects of the earth using a variety of different methods. In oil and gas, Geophysicists are employed to undertake seismic exploration in order to produce data on the location and properties of natural gas or crude oil deposits for oil and gas companies or consultancies.

The general responsibilities of a Geophysicist include data management and interpretation, reporting on data, measuring reservoir volumes and potential yields for oil and gas deposits, and compiling charts and reports.

Typically, the base salary for a Geophysicist starts at around $68,000 in the US but can reach as high as $150,000 a year or more for those working in the oil and gas industry.

10. Land Acquisition Specialist

Median Salary: $77,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 3%

To be a Land Acquisition Specialist, you typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in business, real estate, law, engineering, or another related field. The job entails assisting developers and project managers to obtain new land for oil and gas projects, which typically means managing very high-budget acquisitions.

A Land Acquisition Specialist will design and implement acquisition strategies and plans for new oil and gas sites – working in conjunction with landowners, local governments, and community organizations to gain support and permission in order for the sale and project to continue.

The starting salary for a Land Acquisition Specialist can be as low as $57,000, but for those working in the oil and gas industry, you would typically achieve a much higher rate of up to $90,000 per year.

11. Gas Plant Operator

Median Salary: $74,000

Education: High School Diploma or GED

Projected Growth: 4%

A Gas Plant Operator is in charge of ensuring the safe and efficient running of a gas processing plant. This means monitoring and controlling equipment, which requires a solid understanding of chemical engineering principles and a detailed knowledge of the equipment itself.

The day-to-day duties of a Gas Plant Operator include operating automated control panels, monitoring and adjusting equipment to ensure safety and efficiency, maintaining and repairing equipment, and measuring levels of natural gas.

Most Gas Plant Operators do not require more than a high school diploma to get started, and many of the key skills can be learned on the job. Salaries for these positions typically start at around $53,000 but can reach as much as $91,000 with multiple years of experience.

12. Petroleum Production Engineer

Median Salary: $73,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 8%

In general, Production Engineers supervise and improve the production, processes, and procedures that take place at various plants, factories, and other industrial sites. Petroleum Production Engineers are specifically in charge of designing and developing methods for extracting crude oil and natural gas from the earth.

This role typically involves supervising the overall processes and communicating with various engineers to develop improvements in petroleum production, reducing costs, and managing labor requirements. You would also be responsible for staying on top of advancements in engineering and production, implementing safety procedures and protocols, and identifying unsafe practices.

As a base salary, roles in Petroleum Production Engineering usually start at around $67,000 and can go up to $111,000 or more.

13. Well Testing Operator

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Median Salary: $73,000

Education: High School Diploma or GED

Projected Growth: 6%

As you might expect, Well Testing Operators are responsible for overseeing the testing of oil wells. While most job postings will only require a high school diploma or an equivalent level of education for an entry-level position, a high level of knowledge in the area of geology and hydrogeology is required to properly interpret the data.

Well Testing Operators develop and implement plans, procedures, and standards for data collection during testing. They read and interpret the data itself to identify problems and ensure compliance, and they ultimately determine whether wells are fundamentally safe to use.

The starting salary for this position can vary greatly, depending on your level of experience and relevant qualifications, but it is becoming more competitive, so rates are increasing. Some base salaries start at around $52,000 but can be as high as $80,000 or more.

14. Petroleum Sales Representative

Median Salary: $69,000

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Growth: 2%

A Petroleum Sales Representative is responsible for delivering sales targets in line with the overall plan of the oil business. They seek out the potential for development within current and previous business dealings, meet with customer personnel, and initiate sales processes.

This role generally requires very adept communication and customer service skills, as well as strong business acumen. You need to be able to find new sales and be constantly aware of the state of the market in order to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

The salary for a Petroleum Sales Representative can vary, but roles typically start at around $62,000 per year and go up to $87,000 or more.

15. Oil Rig Welder

Median Salary: $65,000 

Education: High School Diploma or GED

Projected Growth: 5%

For a role that requires little in the way of formal education, Oil Rig Welders have a very high salary – one of the highest for this kind of work. The basic responsibilities involved are operating, maintaining, and repairing the equipment that is used to drill crude oil and natural gas.

The highest-paid positions are usually those out on offshore rigs. These require you to live and work for extended periods of time on the rig itself. You will experience harsh conditions, and you will often be faced with challenging weather and potential emergencies.

While you do not typically need a bachelor’s degree to become an Oil Rig Welder, you will need extensive, specialized training in High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) welding. Salaries usually start at around $59,000 and can go up to $75,000 or more.

Summary: Top 15 Best Paying Jobs In Oil/Gas Transmission

So, what are the best-paying jobs in oil and gas? As with many industries, the most financially rewarding positions tend to be in management or in specialized roles like engineering and the sciences.

The oil and gas industry overall is becoming increasingly competitive, so salaries are increasing and skilled professionals are in high demand. These jobs can be incredibly lucrative and there is often a lot of room for significant progression far beyond the starting salaries that you can expect.

FAQs

What oil and gas company pays the most?

Average salaries between different companies are hard to determine as there are many factors that can affect the different amounts that people are paid. Based on current listings at Glassdoor.com, Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and British Petroleum pay the most for their highest salaried positions.

What is the highest paying job in the oilfield?

The highest paying jobs in the oilfield are usually those of finance, project, construction, and HSE managers, or specialized scientists and engineers like mechanical and chemical engineers or petroleum geologists and geophysicists.

Which field is best for oil and gas industry?

If you want to get into the oil and gas industry, petroleum engineering is probably the most useful degree that you can obtain. It does, however, depend on the exact role that you are looking for.