Roustabouts usually are hired in the field by the maintenance superintendent or by a local company representative. Companies generally hire workers who live near the work site. Employers are often reluctant to invest in training because of the relatively high turnover rate among roustabouts. However, some employees are given an opportunity to take courses offered by various junior colleges. In some companies, roustabouts participate in educational assistance programs that pay for job-related courses taken on the employee's own time.
Roustabouts start by performing basic laborer tasks such as unloading trucks and digging trenches.
As they gain experience, they progress to more complex tasks such as fixing motors or repairing pumps. During their training, they learn about safety, maintenance of equipment and machinery, and general oil field operations. Roustabouts on maintenance and operation crews can advance to jobs as switcher, gauger, pumper, lease operator, or, for those who demonstrate leadership qualities, to chief operator or maintenance superintendent. Those on drilling crews may advance to roughneck, floor hand, or rotary helper in 3 to 6 months. Roughnecks and other crew members may advance to derrick operator and, after several years, to driller.