Offshore Electrician Jobs – A Complete Guide

5 Things You Need to Know About Offshore Electrician jobs

Before you venture off to become a critical part of the offshore drilling industry, consider what it takes to become an offshore electrician.

First, you must have at least one of the following in your arsenal:

• Certified Industrial Electrician with recognized National Apprenticeship

• Certificate or diploma from an electrician school

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in electrical engineering

• Experience with equipment used on offshore oil and gas rigs

Second, after you have achieved your diploma or spent many years working hands on with electrical engineering equipment, you should do your best to gain offshore experience of some kind. Many of the higher paying oil rig companies will not consider you for a position if you have no previous offshore oil or gas rig experience. However, this is not necessarily a requirement for the job.

Third, realize that offshore electrician jobs are some of the most dangerous and stressful jobs on the planet. Your health and safety is never guaranteed, and you will likely spend most weeks of the year at sea.

Fourth, it is crucial that you recognize that your place as an offshore electrician is never guaranteed. There are literally thousands of other qualified professionals lined up to take your job if you cannot handle the pressure or meet the requirements. It is a dog-eat-dog profession.

Fifth, do what you can to receive the proper offshore training that you need to be successful in the industry prior to applying for jobs. The result will be better pay, easier work, and a more successful career.

What Type of Training do Offshore Electricians Need?

Although we already briefly touched on the type of certifications necessary for offshore electrician jobs, we have not discussed in detail the type of offshore training you need to attain the position you want. For example, hazardous equipment handling training will protect both you and your crew from the dangers of offshore fires and other disastrous scenarios. Without proper training you might not know what to do in these situations. It is also required by international maritime law that you receive proper safety and hazardous materials training. Be prepared for plenty of offshore training courses if you are hoping for a long-term career in the industry.

Onshore experience and training is also a requirement for offshore electrician jobs. Individuals who have no previous work experience as an electrician will likely fail to gain any work overseas or offshore. Big companies need people they can count on in the field, and they simply do not trust inexperienced fresh-faced electricians to handle their billion dollar oil and gas rig equipment.

Just like many other jobs, offshore electricians need to work well in a close knit environment and have a cool, calm demeanor. Spending weeks on end on an oil rig can quickly turn sour if you don’t have the right attitude, so having a cool disposition will aid you in getting hired for the job of your dreams.

Salary and Career Expectations for Offshore Electrician Jobs

Due to the nature and the difficultly associated with offshore jobs in the oil and gas industries, you can expect to be paid very well as an offshore electrician. For example, offshore electricians make an average of anywhere from $65,000 a year for entry positions, up to $85,000 a year for chief electricians. You will also receive 5 star living conditions on the oil rig. 5 star food, accommodations, and benefits are a part of the package deal when you work for the oil industry. The job itself can be very rewarding if you aren’t afraid of getting your hands dirty or putting your life in a dangerous position.

To get started in the oil and gas rig industries as an offshore electrician, consider taking extensive offshore training beforehand. Our basic introduction to drilling course can help give you a basics introduction to oil and gas fundamentals before you delve into the industry.