Drilling operations exist throughout Canada, providing job opportunities for workers of all levels, from derrickhands to engineers and managers. The majority of positions call for a high degree of physical fitness and manual dexterity, as well as good hand-eye coordination.
Drillers are paid between C
$35 and C
$40 per hour and are responsible for drill operation, equipment attachment and simple record keeping. One level below drillers are derrickhands, whose duties include aligning and manipulating pipe sections, operating pumps and the setting up and dismantling of service rigs. Average hourly rates are around C
$34.00. Managers play a greater role in the inspection and monitoring of equipment and receive salaries in excess of C
$100,000.
Hours for most positions are often long and the work invariably involves travel or relocation. Candidates are usually required to have between two and ten years’ relevant experience, depending on the particular post applied for. A first aid certificate and a Hydrodgen Sulphine Awareness (H2S) Certificate are also often essential requirements.