Construction · SOC 47-5071
Roustabouts do the essential physical labor of oil-field assembly and repair — tasks robotic systems are far from replicating.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: Robotic inspection drones reduce some leak-detection walks, but physical assembly and repair work on oil field equipment remains human for at least 15 years.
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$58,710 median pay
$57,250 median pay
$38,140 median pay
$51,650 median pay
$64,700 median pay
$48,680 median pay
AI job-risk card
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Roustabouts, Oil and Gas is 13/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
13 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Logging inspection findings and equipment status, Receiving and confirming work orders. Harder to automate: Dismantling and repairing oil field machinery with hand tools, Guiding crane loads across decks in real time, Walking flow lines to detect leaks visually and by instrument, Moving heavy pipe using winches and motorized lifts.
Lean into Oil field equipment repair, Crane signaling and rigging, Leak detection and inspection, Heavy lifting and rigging safety. Consider roles such as Oil field equipment supervisor or Petroleum maintenance technician or Rig safety inspector.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.