How to Become an Assistant Driller or Derrickman

Assistant drillers and derrickmen help run a drilling rig and its crew. It's the step between entry-level rig work and driller. Here's how the path works in mining and in oil and gas.

An assistant driller supports the driller in charge. They help supervise the crew, watch the equipment and keep the rig running safely. The job titles mean different things in different parts of the industry. In oil and gas, a derrickman works at height on the rig, handling pipe and looking after the drilling fluid system. In mineral exploration, similar titles can cover quite different duties.

At a glance

Where you'll work: onshore oil and gas rigs, offshore rigs, mineral exploration projects.
Usual way in: an entry-level rig job, then promotion.
Uni needed? No.
Time to qualify: you work your way up; it usually takes a few years on rigs first.
Rosters: FIFO and swing rosters, often 12-hour shifts.

What the job involves

Helping supervise the drill crew.
Inspecting and maintaining rig equipment.
Monitoring drilling fluids, for derrickmen in oil and gas.
Working at height on the rig.
Coordinating several tasks at once and keeping the rig safe.

At school

Maths and physics.
Engineering or design and technology.
English.
Mechanical projects and equipment maintenance are good practice.

How to qualify

You don't start as an assistant driller. Most people begin in an entry-level job and get promoted:

Drilling offsider, in mineral exploration.
Roustabout or floorhand, in oil and gas.
A trainee drilling program.
Mechanical or maintenance work, which gives you skills that transfer.

Decide early whether you want mineral exploration, onshore oil and gas, or offshore. The training and tickets differ.

Your first job

Job titles to search for:

Drilling Offsider
Roustabout
Floorhand
Rig Crew Member
Trainee Driller
Assistant Driller, once you have rig experience

Check which sector a vacancy is in. An offshore assistant driller role needs different experience from an exploration rig job.

Tickets and training

First aid, site inductions and a medical.
Working at heights and confined space tickets.
Well control training, for oil and gas roles.
Offshore survival and helicopter escape training, for offshore roles.
Drilling competencies from your employer.

These aren't required for every role. Confirm what the employer needs before you pay for a course.

Where it can lead

Offsider or Floorhand → Derrickman → Assistant Driller → Driller → Rig Supervisor or Toolpusher → Drilling Superintendent

Titles and the order of steps vary between employers and sectors. Some people specialise in drilling fluids or rig equipment.

What employers look for

Clear communication and calm under pressure.
Teamwork across a crew.
Taking procedures seriously, and stopping work if something's unsafe.
Reliability. Rigs often run around the clock.

Is it for you?

It suits you if you want to move from hands-on rig work into more responsibility and leading a crew.

Pay, rosters and jobs

See what the job pays: Drill & Blast salaries
Browse live roles: Drilling jobs and Oil & gas news
Related guides: Driller, Petroleum or Reservoir Engineer