The oil industry is a lucrative choice of occupation for many people, especially for those who already live in places with ongoing oil booms. Workers in oilfields are generally well-trained in their jobs and provided with good pay and downtime. This is especially the case in Colorado, where over a hundred thousand Coloradans work in the state’s numerous oil towns. Below are some steps for you to get a bit of the Colorado oil 'boom'.

See if you fit the basic requirements

Contrary to popular belief, there is more to oilfields than roughneck workers. Oilfield workers often live in oil patch camps, where cooks, caterers, and medics can also be found. Researchers, engineers, biologists, and environmentalists can also find themselves under the payroll of the industry. Jobseekers hoping to find a place in the oil industry will need to fit the requirements of their target occupations. For future researchers, engineers, biologists, and medics they must have been educated in the field they plan on entering; past work experience in the same field is also highly encouraged. For the roughneck workers who will personally operate the oil rigs, it is also the same case. A dedicated person who wants to work in an oilfield can study in schools with oilfield specific training (i.e. the Atlantic Petroleum Training College or The American Petroleum Institute) or go on seismic explorations to have an advantage over other applicants. However, there are more opportunities for non-experienced jobseekers in this line of work than in the previously discussed one. Below are the most basic qualifications for oilfield workers:

  • Workers should be at least 18 years old.
  • Workers, especially those who want to be truck drivers, must have a valid driver’s license with a clean record.
  • Workers must be physically fit, able to regularly carry over 50 lbs of weight, willing and able to work long hours, and medically permitted to operate heavy machinery.

Understand where you are, and where you want to be

Before you go and send resumes to every oil firm in sight, think about the industry you’re going to get into. Getting an oilfield job in general would mean having to be away from your home and family for months at a time. In Colorado, however, there are several oil towns to choose from; if you’re lucky enough maybe you’re already in one. Here’s a list of some Coloradan oil towns:

  • Greenley
  • Briggsdale
  • Fort Collins
  • Longmont
  • Fort Lupton

If you live near or in these towns, you can readily find an oilfield job there. If you don’t, be prepared to either commute to your work or move there.

Apply, apply, apply

Don’t send your resume to just one firm. Sending to multiple oil firms helps your chances, and sending to smaller contractors may help you get a job faster. Put yourself online so firms can easily search you, and don’t forget to schedule an interview in advance. So long as you fit the requirements, you have a very good chance of working in this industry.

3 Great High paying entry level opportunities:

  • Hot Oiler Operators / Heat Wave hot Oil Services: $60,000.00 to $85,000.00 /year + $1k sign-on bonus - Details here >>
  • Entry Level Operator Assistant / Halliburton:  Entry level, full time. Will train. Details here >>
  • Scaffolders/ Insulators / ATI Insulation: Must be able to work up to 60 hours per week, 12hr/day ranges from $15-$28/hr. Details here >>