The complete oil rig crew hierarchy

The single most important thing to understand about a rig crew is that two different companies are on location at once. The operator — the oil company that owns the well — sends its own representatives. The drilling contractor — the company that owns and crews the rig — supplies everyone who actually runs the equipment. On top of that, a stream of third-party specialists comes and goes as the well demands. Knowing which chain a person belongs to tells you who they answer to and who pays them.

The operator's side

The operator's people set the program and control the money. They direct the operation but don't run the rig themselves.

• Company Man (Well Site Supervisor) — the operator's top representative on location and the highest authority over the well. Directs the operation through the Toolpusher.
• Drilling Superintendent — the operator's office-based manager overseeing several rigs and the Company Men on them.

The contractor's side

The contractor's crew runs the rig 24/7. The chain runs from rig management down to the entry-level hands.

• Rig Manager — the contractor's senior manager responsible for the rig (sometimes called Rig Superintendent).
• Toolpusher — runs the rig around the clock and supervises the drillers.
• Driller — crew chief on the rig floor, operates the controls for a tour.
• Derrickhand — senior floor hand who works in the derrick and tends the mud system.
• Floorhand / Roughneck — handles pipe and makes connections on the floor.
• Motorman — maintains the rig's engines and mechanical equipment.
• Roustabout — entry-level general laborer on deck and in the yard.
• Crane Operator (offshore) — operates the platform cranes for loads and supply.
• OIM — Offshore Installation Manager (offshore) — the single highest authority on an offshore installation, overseeing the whole platform.

The specialists

These are third-party service hands, hired well by well and answering to the operator (usually via the Company Man) rather than to the rig contractor.

• Directional Driller — steers the wellbore along the planned path.
• MWD/LWD engineer — runs measurement- and logging-while-drilling tools.
• Mud Engineer — designs and maintains the drilling fluid system.
• Mud Logger — monitors gas and examines cuttings to log the geology.
• Fishing Tool Supervisor — recovers stuck or lost equipment from the hole.
• HSE advisor — health, safety, and environmental oversight on location.

Full hierarchy table

The table below maps every role to the company it works for, who it reports to, and a typical 2026 pay figure. Specialists are usually paid as day rates; contractor crew are typically salaried/hourly.

Pay figures are typical 2026 ranges; verify against current market data for your basin and rig class.

Common questions