NOC 2021 · 83101 · TEER 3
NOC 83101: Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Oil and gas well drillers and well servicers control the operation of drilling and hoisting equipment on drilling and service rigs, and direct the activities of the rig crew under supervision of the rig manager. Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers operate specialized mechanical or electronic equipment, tools or instruments to provide services in conjunction with well drilling, completion or servicing. They are employed by drilling and well service contractors, petroleum producing companies and well logging or testing companies.
TEER
TEER 3
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Median wage (Canada)
$47.12 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 2
+40 CRS for Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 83101 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: eligible occupationNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 83101 is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +40 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 70 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 83101 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Oil and gas well drillers and well servicers
- Direct rig crew in setting up rigs and drilling, completing or servicing oil and gas exploration and producing wells
- Operate controls of drill or service rig drilling and hoisting machinery
- Train or arrange for training of crew
- Maintain records of drilling and servicing operations
- Ensure safety procedures are followed.
- Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers
- Drive well service or wireline truck to well site
- Assemble and attach equipment, tools or recorders to drill stem or wireline to conduct required procedures and tests
- Operate or direct the operation of wireline or unit controls to lower, position and retrieve equipment and instruments
- Operate recorders and computers in mobile testing or logging unit to collect data
- May perform limited data interpretation.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- assistant driller - oil and gas well drilling
- directional drilling operator
- downhole tool operator
- drill stem tester
- driller - oil and gas drilling
- electric line operator
- logging and perforating operator
- service rig operator
- slickline operator
- well testing operator
- wireline operator
All 37 job titles in NOC 83101
- assistant driller - offshore drilling rig
- assistant driller - oil and gas well drilling
- coring operator - oil field services
- directional driller - oil and gas drilling
- directional drilling operator
- directional drilling operator - oil and gas drilling
- downhole tool operator
- downhole tool operator - oil and gas drilling
- drill stem tester
- drill stem tester - oil and gas drilling
- driller - offshore drilling rig
- driller - oil and gas drilling
- electric line operator
- electric line operator - oil field services
- e-line operator - oil field services
- fishing tool operator - oil field services
- gas tester - oil field services
- gun perforator - oil field services
- hydrocarbon mud logger - oil field services
- logging and perforating operator
- logging and perforating operator - oil field services
- offshore driller - oil and gas
- oil well perforator
- production testing operator - oil and gas well drilling
- rig technician - driller
- service rig operator
- service rig operator - oil field services
- sidewall core sampler - oil field services
- slickline operator
- slickline operator - oil field services
- well puller - oil field services
- well testing operator
- well testing operator - oil and gas drilling
- wireline operator
- wireline operator - oil field services
- wireline operator trainee
- workover rig operator - oil field services
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Oil and gas well drillers and well servicers require three to six months of formal on-the-job training, college or petroleum industry-approved training courses and four or more years of work experience in subordinate rig crew positions.
- A college diploma in drilling may be required.
- Offshore work requires several years of experience in an equivalent position on land.
- Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, well control, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) and a special oil well operator (boiler) certificate are required.
- Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers require three to six months of formal on-the-job training and several years of experience in subordinate logging and testing positions or on drilling and servicing rigs.
- Completion of a college program in electronics or engineering technology may be required for open hole well logging.
- A provincial blaster's licence, and seismic blaster and oil well blaster certification are required for well perforation services.
- Trade certification for rig technician is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified rig technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Additional information
- Mobility between jobs on drilling and service rigs is limited by the differences in the machinery, tools and operations performed, but mobility is possible especially from drilling to service rigs.
- Progression to crew supervisor or manager is possible with experience and additional education and training.
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 83101 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $26.37 | $47.12 | $70.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $28.75 | $35.00 | $60.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $22.16 | $36.81 | $71.84 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| New Brunswick | $21.87 | $34.73 | $52.36 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Ontario | $21.00 | $34.34 | $44.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $32.00 | $35.77 | $52.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $34.50 | $42.00 | $57.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $25.00 | $48.50 | $70.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $25.00 | $43.00 | $70.97 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan.
Very goodNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Very good for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (NOC 83101) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
This is a key occupation in the province's oil industry, covering a range of functions. People in this occupation are employed by oil producing companies or firms that provide services and support to the industry. The outlook for exploration activity is mixed, with some companies reducing activity over the forecast period, and others moving ahead with drilling plans. Oil production is expected to increase during the forecast period as the SeaRose FPSO resumed drilling in early 2025 and the first oil from the $4 billion West White Rose project is expected in 2026.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 500 people work in this occupation.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers mainly work in the following sectors:
Support activities for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 213): 70%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 26%
41% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers work all year, while 59% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 33% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (NOC 83101) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Demand for this occupation is driven by global energy demand, commodity prices, and investment in exploration and production activities.
The oil and gas industry can be sensitive to global market conditions, which may affect employment stability. As Saskatchewan continues to enhance its oil recovery, there may be increased need for workers in this occupation.
Key trends in this occupation include automation and robotics, such as automated drilling rigs and drones for inspection, real-time data collection and monitoring of equipment, advanced horizontal drilling and measurement-while-drilling (MWD) systems to improve efficiency.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 2,450 people work in this occupation.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers mainly work in the following sectors:
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 65%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 25%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 92% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 8% compared to 19% for all occupations
33% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers work all year, while 67% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
14% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 16% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 48% compared to 33% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 24% compared to 15% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModerateManitoba
The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (NOC 83101) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
This occupation is driven by global energy demand, commodity prices, and investment in exploration and production activities.
The province supports regulated, short-term continuity for oil extraction activities while pursuing long-term transition to clean and renewable energy sources.
Key trends in this occupation include robotics and automation for hazardous or complex tasks such as inspections, pipe handling, and data entry. Smart sensors and real-time monitoring provide data on conditions, pressure and flow rates.
Jobs are concentrated in the Southwest region where petroleum is extracted from oil and gas wells in designated fields.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers in Manitoba:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers mainly work in the following sectors:
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 52%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 28%
Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 6%
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 6%
Construction (NAICS 23): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations
48% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers work all year, while 52% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 88% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 12% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 12% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 46% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
ModerateAlberta
The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (NOC 83101) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers in Alberta:
Approximately 20,700 people work in this occupation.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers mainly work in the following sectors:
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 52%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 27%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 95% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 5% compared to 20% for all occupations
43% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers work all year, while 56% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 37 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
16% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 93% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 7% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 16% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 6% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (NOC 83101) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
The start-up and expansion of LNG Canada and other LNG facilities may create new drilling opportunities in the Montney natural gas-producing region of northeast British Columbia
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers in British Columbia:
Approximately 700 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers mainly work in the following sectors:
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 44%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 23%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 9%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 95% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
52% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers work all year, while 48% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
10% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 92% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 8% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 21% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 38% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
Very limitedNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Very limited for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (NOC 83101) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 41%
Construction (NAICS 23): 23%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 18%
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 17%
25% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers work all year, while 75% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 87% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 13% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 32% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 26% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Very limitedOntario
The employment outlook will be Very limited for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (NOC 83101) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers in Ontario:
Approximately 950 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 20%
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 16%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 13%
Construction (NAICS 23): 8%
Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 89% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 11% compared to 19% for all occupations
65% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
5% of oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 67% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 33% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 10% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 37% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 16% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 11% compared to 13% for all occupations
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedQuebec
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 83101 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
- 84101 Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators
- 82021 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
- 72501 Water well drillers
Same occupation group
Underground miners, oil and gas drillers and related occupations
Questions
NOC 83101: common questions
What is the NOC code for oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers?
What TEER category is NOC 83101?
Is NOC 83101 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 83101 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 83101 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 83101 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 8Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupationsBroad Category
- 83Occupations in natural resources and related productionMajor Group
- 831Occupations in natural resources and fisheriesSub-major Group
- 8310Underground miners, oil and gas drillers and related occupationsMinor Group
- 83101Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
Enquiry
Is NOC 83101 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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