17 Best Paying Jobs In Oil & Gas Production in 2022

by Usama Chaudry on October 11, 2022

Despite facing the downturn due to the pandemic, the oil and gas industry is still going up and has a bright future. According to the report of Statista, global demand for crude oil increased from 86.4 million barrels per day in 2010 to 99.7 million barrels per day in 2019. However, in 2020, it fell to 91 million barrels per day due to COVID-19, but it is projected to increase to 99.4 million barrels per day in 2022. Similarly, gasoline demand is forecast at 27.4 million barrels by 2045.

According to datausa, the number of people employed in the oil & gas industry extraction group has been growing at a rate of 9.68%, from 127k people in 2018 to 140k people in 2019.

Additionally, white collar and labour jobs are more in demand in the oil and gas industry, as this industry demands more people to find and get at the oil. There’s a huge demand for petroleum engineers and geoscientists worldwide as well as for labour workers who get their hands dirty working drilling jobs and on pipelines and in refineries.

Keep reading to discover whether oil & gas production is a good career or not and what are some best paying jobs in oil and gas production.

List of 17 Best Paying Jobs In Oil & Gas Production

Best Paying Jobs In Oil and Gas Sector

Getting a job in the Oil and Gas Industry can be difficult, however, if you are lucky enough then these are some of the best paying jobs in the oil rig and gas industry in Canada along with their national and region-wise average annual income:

  1. Project Manager
  2. Drilling Supervisor
  3. Construction Manager
  4. Petroleum Geologist
  5. Geophysicist
  6. Mechanical Engineer
  7. HSE Manager
  8. Excavating Engineer
  9. Project Engineer
  10. Production Engineer
  11. Gas Plant Operator
  12. Well Testers
  13. Chemical Engineer
  14. Petroleum Sales Representative
  15. Vessel Manager
  16. HR Advisor
  17. Lease Operator

1. Project Manager

The Project Manager is tasked with ensuring that an entire project from start to finish is on track, on budget, to specifications, and within safety guidelines. The Project Manager’s job also ensures that communication is flowing between groups.

The average Project Manager salary in Canada is $82,808 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Project Manager in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$93,322   
   
Alberta   
   
$89,539   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$85,847   
   
Manitoba   
   
$81,081   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$75,755   

2. Drilling Supervisor

Drilling Supervisors are in charge of the drill operations and make sure that drilling work is completed properly and on schedule. They often work alongside a management team while the planning of a project’s operations is being developed.

The average Drilling Supervisor salary in Canada is $82,729 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Drilling Supervisor in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$83,585   
   
Alberta   
   
$90,987   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$110,000   
   
Manitoba   
   
$69,102   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$85,181   

3. Construction Manager

The Construction Manager is responsible for delivering construction in accordance with HSE requirements and schedule. They work closely with the Project Manager in leading teams to manage and control construction projects.

The average Construction Manager’s salary in Canada is $80,478 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Construction Manager in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$85,000   
   
Alberta   
   
$90,000   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$80,000   
   
Manitoba   
   
$77,279   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$75,000   

4. Petroleum Geologist

Petroleum Geologists search for and discover oil and gas deposits within the earth. They use geological information to analyze which sites companies should drill for oil and recommend the best drilling methods depending on the geological makeup of the area.

The average Petroleum Geologist’s salary in Canada is $161,946 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Petroleum Geologists in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$150,672   
   
Alberta   
   
$152,460   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$150,311   
   
Manitoba   
   
$126,053   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$157,552   

5. Geophysicist

A Geophysicist studies the physical aspects of the earth in order to determine what lies beneath the surface of the earth.

The average Geophysicist salary in Canada is $75,000 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Geophysicists in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$74,289   
   
Alberta   
   
$95,716   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$138,036   
   
Manitoba   
   
$68,859   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$116,672   

6. Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are responsible to support plant equipment, design, development, installation, and maintenance of oil and gas processing equipment, emphasizing safety, reliability, quality, and sustainability.

The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Canada is $71,000 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Mechanical Engineers in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$67,603   
   
Alberta   
   
$79,931   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$69,284   
   
Manitoba   
   
$66,528   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$71,290   

7. HSE Manager

Health, Safety, and Environmental Managers (HSE Manager) develop and implement organizational safety programs. They review and keep updated HSE policies, as well as conduct risk assessments and create precautionary measures.

The average HSE Manager salary in Canada is $100,000 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of HSE Manager in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$78,804   
   
Alberta   
   
$76,364   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$83,954   
   
Manitoba   
   
$69,473   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$90,000   

8. Excavating Engineer

Excavating Engineer manages rig staff and is responsible for assessing and maintaining wells, ensuring safety measures are implemented, and is generally responsible for the financial and technical operations of drilling for oil or gas.

The average Excavating Engineer salary in Canada is $154,421 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Excavating Engineer in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$116,000   
   
Alberta   
   
$121,877   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$110,000   
   
Manitoba   
   
$127,310   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$97,200   

9. Project Engineer

Project Engineers ensure that design, construction, and major maintenance projects are completed securely, completed within budget, review progress reports and proposed construction changes, as well as monitor project progress for stakeholders.

The average Project Engineer salary in Canada is $85,698 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Project Engineer in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$87,500   
   
Alberta   
   
$89,539   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$84,094   
   
Manitoba   
   
$83,749   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$85,416   

10. Production Engineer

They are responsible for designing and selecting well equipment to bring it to production after drilling. They monitor the well as it flows to make sure it is efficient and still commercially viable.

The average Production Engineer salary in Canada is $74,100 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Production Engineer in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$69,380   
   
Alberta   
   
$95,482   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$73,863   
   
Manitoba   
   
$66,935   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$97,037   

11. Gas Plant Operator

Gas plant operator process and distribute gas for utility companies through compressors that maintain the pressure of pipelines. They may also distribute gas to industrial plants using control boards and semiautomatic equipment.

The average Gas Plant Operator salary in Canada is $80,091 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Gas Plant Operator in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$81,917   
   
Alberta   
   
$80,155   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$87,154   
   
Manitoba   
   
$76,579   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$82,319   

12. Well Testers

Well Tester performs evaluations and assessments of oil pipelines during the development phase to predict stability and risk levels. Well testing operator is a great career option in the oil and gas sector. We have covered a detailed guide on is Well Testing Operator a good career path.

The average Well Tester salary in Canada is $83,215 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Well Tester in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$86,303   
   
Alberta   
   
$85,968   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$80,652   
   
Manitoba   
   
$79,584   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$77,634   

13. Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers conduct a series of tests and evaluations to ensure companies use the correct chemicals to turn crude oil and petroleum into usable material.

The average Chemical Engineer salary in Canada is $80,000 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Chemical Engineer in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$72,500   
   
Alberta   
   
$84,451   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$85,750   
   
Manitoba   
   
$76,558   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$74,733   

14. Petroleum Sales Representative

Petroleum Sales Representatives sell finished goods for wholesalers and manufacturers to businesses and retailers.

The average Petroleum Sale Representative’s salary in Canada is $74,411 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Petroleum Sales Representative in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$74,221   
   
Alberta   
   
$80,963   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$77,141   
   
Manitoba   
   
$66,956   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$68,105   

15. Vessel Manager

These individuals oversee and ensure the safe operations of offshore drilling on oil and petroleum vessels.

The average Vessel Manager salary in Canada is $68,750 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Vessel Manager in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$65,331   
   
Alberta   
   
$66,436   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$93,078   
   
Manitoba   
   
$51,456   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$84,003   

16. HR Advisor

HR Advisors improve relations between management and employees by overseeing grievance procedures, employee investigations, and conflict resolutions.

The average HR Advisor salary in Canada is $69,369 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of HR Advisor in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$51,875   
   
Alberta   
   
$67,500   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$65,199   
   
Manitoba   
   
$63,212   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$73,729   

17. Lease Operator

Lease Operators ensure that the oil and gas transported to and from drilling sites, processing plants, and gas stations make the trip safely and without damage.

The average Lease Operator salary in Canada is $52,000 per year.

Region-Wise Salary of Lease Operator in Canada

   
REGION    
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY   
   
Ontario   
   
$60,481   
   
Alberta   
   
$61,016   
   
British   Columbia   
   
$64,422   
   
Manitoba   
   
$49,012   
   
Saskatchewan   
   
$54,555   

Frequently Asked Questions:

1- What is the highest paying job in the oil and gas industry?

The highest paying job in the oil and gas industry is that of a Petroleum Geologist. The average Petroleum Geologist salary in Canada is $161,946 per year. Petroleum geologists search for and discover oil and gas deposits within the earth. They use geological information to analyze which sites companies should drill for oil.

2- Which oil company pays the best?

PetroChina Company Limited (“PetroChina”) is the best paying Oil Company. It is not only one of the companies with the biggest sales revenue in China, but also one of the largest oil companies in the world. The average salary for PetroChina employees is $77,134 per year.

3- Do oilfield workers make good money?

Yes, the oilfield workers do make good money. Oilfield workers make on average just under $100,000 a year, but salaries can vary widely depending on the skills.

4- How much do Roughnecks make?

The average salary of Roughnecks is $34,680. However, they can make up to $51,550 per year. As a roughneck, you will be a member of the drilling crew. Job responsibilities include long and physically demanding hours, cleaning the rig, maintaining drilling equipment, and helping with transport.

Conclusion

The oil and gas production industry is a lucrative one, with many high-paying jobs. If you’re looking for new career opportunities in the oil and gas sector, consider one of these 17 best paying jobs in oil & gas production. With the right training and experience, you could be on your way to a six-figure salary!

Usama ChaudryUsama is a professional engineer and graduated from the University of Alberta. Computations of electrical and thermal characteristics are among his research interests. Usama's hobbies outside of professional work include reading, playing tennis, and trekking.

Related

The Primus Workforce team is proudly built on hands-on industry knowledge and experience.