Who's who on a drilling rig.
A rig runs on a tight chain of command — from the operator's Company Man down to the roughneck on the floor, plus the specialist consultants who come and go. Here's what every role does, where it sits, and what it pays.
The supervisory roles
The decision-makers — operator-side and contractor-side — who run the well and the rig.
Company Man
The operator's top on-site authority over the well, the program, and the budget.
Read guide → Contractor sideToolpusher
The drilling contractor's rig boss who runs day-to-day operations and crews.
Read guide → ComparisonToolpusher vs. Company Man
Two bosses on every rig — who actually has authority over what.
Read guide →The rig-floor crew
The hands who physically drill the well, from crew chief to entry-level labor.
Driller
Operates the controls and owns the safety of everyone on the rig floor.
Read guide → OverviewThe Full Crew Hierarchy
Roustabout to OIM — the complete chain of command, mapped.
Read guide → FloorRoughneck / Floorhand
The core manual crew that handles pipe and makes connections.
Read guide →The specialists & consultants
Third-party guides — often independent — brought in for the technical work. These are the hands rigs.work develops.
Directional Driller
Steers the wellbore along its planned path; one of the highest day rates on location.
Read guide → SpecialistMud Engineer
Designs and maintains the drilling-fluid system that keeps the well under control.
Read guide → CareerHow to Become a Directional Driller
The path, the certs, and the pay for one of the field's premium roles.
Read guide → CareerGetting a Rig Job With No Experience
Entry roles, the certifications you need first, and how to break in.
Read guide →Hire prepared rig personnel — or join the network.
Operators study reference-checked guides from the reference library. Elite consultants keep more of their day rate.