Drilling Supervisor
Impact: Resource extraction, Energy production, Project execution
Oversees and manages all aspects of drilling operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and adherence to regulatory standards and project specifications. Directs drilling crews, coordinates logistics, and resolves technical challenges to optimize well construction.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 80% Team / 20% Solo
- Client facing
- Frequent
- Impact visibility
- Very High
- Travel
- 50-70% domestic and international
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 60-80 hours/week
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $131,000
- Entry-level
- $95,000 - $115,000
- Senior
- $185,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 4% (average)
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- High to 95% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- $30,000 - $60,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Drilling Techniques
- Project Management
- Well Control
- Equipment Operation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Geologic Interpretation
Soft skills
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Safety Management
- Adaptability
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's Degree
- Licensing
- Varies by State
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8 years
- Years to senior
- 10-15 years
- Career switching
- Hard
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Drilling Engineer
- Senior Drilling Engineer
- Drilling Supervisor
- Drilling Manager
- Operations Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 15% to low risk due to complex decision-making and on-site supervision
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.4/10
- Meaning
- 3.6/10
- Work-life balance
- 4.5/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High