Electrician Jobs
If you’re interested in an entry-level job in the oil and gas industry, consider becoming an electrician. The demand for electricians continues to increase, especially as more domestic oil and gas exploration sites are reactivated due to shale gas and oil extraction via fracturing.
Becoming an electrician does take time. You won’t be able to get a job without some formal training and licensure, but once you do have that, there are many levels of electrician’s jobs available from apprentice to chief electrician. The more experience you get under your belt, the more pay you’ll be able to earn.
In This Section:
- Job Responsibilities
- Job Requirements
- Training to Become an Electrician
- Pay and Benefits
- Career Resources
The primary function of electricians is to install and maintain electrical systems on oil rigs and/or gas and oil drilling sites. Some companies are looking for electricians who can make recommendations and design the electrical system on a site, while others are simply looking for electricians who can maintain and repair existing systems and perform inspections and execute safety compliance measures.
Electricians usually focus on either residential service or commercial services. Electricians in the oil and gas industry fall into the commercial service category, but they are a specific subset of this group, and some may be required to receive extra training to work in the industry.
In Focus: Day in the Life of an Apprentice Electrician
The major oil and gas companies like Exxon Mobil, BP, and Chevron hire electricians, as well as smaller exploration and refining companies. There are also opportunities for electricians with electrical contractors, and some electricians work as self-employed contractors.
While electricians are hired most often for rigs and drilling sites, they can also be hired to maintain electrical systems at refineries and other facilities.