Do most (US) oil drilling companies require an engineering degree as a prerequisite to becoming a rig manager?

It's my understanding that almost all drilling companies require that you work your way from the lowest drilling crew rank (roustabout?) up to the position of rig manager (and potentially beyond). I am willing to do this if my educational background (a finance degree from MSU) wouldn't prohibit me from advancing into the position of rig manager. Is it common practice to exclusively hire rig manager that have degrees directly related to engineering or earth sciences? Thank you in advance for your help.Do most (US) oil drilling companies require an engineering degree as a prerequisite to becoming a rig manager?
A Rig manager does not necessarily have to have a degree of any kind to be one.


A rig manager is responsible for a lot of things that are widely diversified and are often not directly related to ';making hole'; such as rig manning, crew transport, crew safety, food and fuel supplies, maintenance of the drilling equipment and parts to support the operation just to name a few. Obviously he has staff that look after the day to day operation of the rig but the buck stops with the rig manager should anything go wrong.


Needless to say a Rig Manager would still need to know one end of a piece of drill pipe from the other.Do most (US) oil drilling companies require an engineering degree as a prerequisite to becoming a rig manager?
It is not clear if you are talking about someone who is responsible for the operation of one rig or many rigs.





It is not uncommon for the supervisor (called a tool pusher) for one rig to be someone who has worked their way up and may or may not have a university degree.





It is more common for the supervisor (called a drilling superintendent) of many rigs to have a degree but it is not always the case. Most drilling superintendents I have known had a technical degree. They seldom stayed in their position for a very long time but rather move up to fill other management positions.
I agree with Kiwi Pete. This is a position that is earned through experience. Your understanding about working your way up from roustabout is pretty much true. You must experience all the details of the operation, and this takes time - it doesn't happen right away. If you don't know all the workings of each and every situation, then it's impossible to manage.


Good luck.