Description
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Interests
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Conventional
Work Values
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Initiative
Tasks
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Detailed Work Activities
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software
- Presentation software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Development environment software
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Physics
- Chemistry
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified Petroleum GeophysicistCertifying Organization
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Refractory Personnel CertificationCertifying Organization
American Petroleum Institute
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Petroleum Craftsman - Level 4Certifying Organization
National Petroleum Management Association
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $88,759 |
| Median (50%) | $120,724 |
| High (90%) | $160,263 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $103,972 |
| Mid Level | $117,893 |
| Senior Level | $127,936 |
| Expert Level | $157,126 |
Employability
There are currently 20,800 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 21,300 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast