Employment Roustabouts held about 33,000 jobs in 1992. Seven of every 10 jobs were in the oil and gas field services industry. The remaining jobs were in the crude petroleum and natural gas industry. Although drilling for oil and gas is done in a large number of States, about 85 percent of all workers are employed in eight States. Texas leads in the number of oil field jobs, followed by Louisiana, Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Wyoming, Alaska, and New Mexico.
Most jobs are full-time, permanent positions.
However, some roustabouts are temporary workers, such as students during the summer. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement People with little or no formal training or work experience can get jobs as roustabouts. However, with extremely keen competition for jobs in recent years, an increasing proportion of entrants to this occupation have previous work experience as a roustabout or a 2-year degree in petroleum technology providing knowledge of oil field operations and familiarity with computers and other automated equipment. Applicants must be physically fit and able to pass a physical examination. Employers seek candidates who have mechanical ability, agility, coordination, and good eyesight.