How to become a rig hand
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🛢️ How to Become a Rig Hand in Canada
Rig work isn’t for everyone — it’s for the tough. If you’re ready to put in the hours and grind hard, becoming a rig hand could be your shot at big pay and a solid career.
👷♂️ What’s a Rig Hand?
A rig hand (also called a floorhand or leasehand) is an entry-level worker on a drilling rig. You’ll be part of a 3–5 person crew doing the dirty work — handling pipe, cleaning the rig, maintaining equipment, and learning the ropes from experienced crew members like the derrickhand and driller.
🧭 How to Get Started
✅ 1. Finish High School
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You’ll need a high school diploma or GED to be taken seriously by most rig companies.
✅ 2. Get the Required Tickets
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These safety certifications are usually needed:
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H2S Alive
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Standard First Aid & CPR
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WHMIS
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CSTS-2020 (Construction Safety Training System)
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Bear Awareness (for remote camps)
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Training can be done at safety ticket schools — most major oilfield towns have one.
✅ 3. Apply for Entry-Level Jobs
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Look for listings with titles like:
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Leasehand
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Floorhand
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Rig Hand
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Roughneck
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Sites to check: Job Bank Canada, Indeed, or directly through companies like Precision Drilling, Ensign, or Savanna.
💰 What Can You Make?
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Entry-level (leasehand): $22–28/hour
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Floorhand/roughneck: $30–35/hour
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Camp jobs often include free meals, lodging, overtime, and daily bonuses.
📈 How to Move Up
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Start as a Leasehand
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Move to Floorhand
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Level up to Derrickhand
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Become a Driller or Toolpush
The higher you go, the more you make — some drillers clear over $120K/year.
🌎 What’s It Like?
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Long shifts: 12+ hours a day
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Remote camps: Work 20 days on, 10 off
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Physically demanding: Mud, pipe, grease, repeat
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Brotherhood: You build tight crews and earn respect fast when you work hard
🔧 Why It’s Worth It
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You make solid money fast
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You get real trade experience
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You open doors to other careers (welding, heavy equipment, safety, etc.)
At BuiltForThePatch, we’re here to help you start strong.
From the right gear to real-world advice, we’ve got your back on and off the rig. Gear up and go get it.