Updated October 30, 2026

How to Get an Oilfield Job With No Experience in the Delaware Basin

Plenty of people working in the Delaware Basin today started with no oilfield experience at all. Operators and service companies across West Texas and southeast New Mexico still post trainee, helper and "will train" jobs, and the federal government's own career guide says roustabout positions "typically do not require experience to enter" (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).

This guide walks through how beginners actually get hired: which jobs to aim for, what to get before you apply, and how to apply so your application gets seen. When you're ready, the no-experience oilfield jobs list shows every opening where the employer says no experience is needed, updated daily.

Which oilfield jobs hire beginners?

Most first oilfield jobs fall into a handful of roles. They're hard work, often outdoors in heat, wind and cold, but they're where the industry trains new people.

Roustabout / field hand. General labor on leases and facilities: building and repairing equipment, laying flowline, cleaning tanks and locations. BLS notes that roustabout work can lead to jobs such as derrick operator and driller. See roustabout and field labor jobs.
Floorhand (roughneck). Works the drilling rig floor handling pipe. Rig jobs usually run on a hitch. See drilling and rig crew jobs.
Frac, wireline and completions helper. Trainee and operator-assistant roles on completions crews. Some frac trainee postings in the Basin also ask for a CDL, so read the requirements closely. See frac and completions jobs.
Entry-level field service technician. Compression and equipment companies hire entry techs to learn on the job. See mechanic and technician jobs.
Yard, warehouse and equipment jobs. Material handlers, yard hands and forklift operators keep pipe and parts moving. See warehouse and equipment jobs.

Today Delaware Basin Jobs lists 50 entry-level jobs where the employer says no experience is needed or will train. Openings change every day, so check the entry-level oilfield jobs page for what's open now.

What do oilfield jobs pay for beginners?

Pay depends on the company, the role, the schedule and how much overtime you work, so be wary of anyone promising a specific number. For a neutral reference point, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of $46,960 for roustabouts and $51,650 for oil and gas workers overall in May 2025 (BLS). Those are national figures, not Permian-specific offers. When a job on our site lists pay, we show it on the listing, and the employer's own posting is always the final word.

Step 1: Get the basics in order

Before you apply anywhere, line up the things that screen people out fastest:

A valid driver's license and a clean-enough record. Many field jobs involve driving a company truck to remote locations. A license is often listed as a hard requirement.
Be ready to pass a drug screen. Oilfield employers commonly drug test before hiring, and CDL jobs fall under federal DOT testing rules.
Reliable transportation and a phone. Yards and locations are spread out, and crews call out early.
Steel-toe boots. Most companies supply flame-resistant clothing (FRCs), hard hats and other PPE, but showing up prepared helps.

Step 2: Get one or two safety cards

You don't need a stack of certifications to get hired. Many employers pay for training after you start. But having the most common cards can move your application to the top of the pile:

H2S awareness. Hydrogen sulfide is a deadly gas found in parts of the Permian, and many operators require H2S training before you go on location. Classes are usually a few hours.
SafeLand USA / PEC Basic Orientation. A one-day general oilfield safety orientation. Veriforce's current version, Basic Orientation 7.0, is a 6-hour course and Veriforce states the training does not expire (Veriforce).

Our guide to where to get oilfield certifications in West Texas and SE New Mexico lists local options in Odessa, Midland, Hobbs and Carlsbad. If you want to drive, read the oilfield CDL driver guide, because a CDL opens a large share of field jobs.

Step 3: Write a short, honest resume

Hiring managers for field jobs want to know three things: can you show up, can you work hard safely, and can you learn. Put these up front:

Any physical or hands-on work: construction, ranch or farm work, warehouse, landscaping, mechanic work, military service.
Licenses and cards (driver's license class, H2S, SafeLand, forklift, OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR).
Your willingness to work a hitch, nights or weekends, and which towns you can reach.

Keep it to one page. Our free resume builder has oilfield templates you can fill in from your phone.

Step 4: Apply directly with the employer

Every job on Delaware Basin Jobs links straight to the employer's own careers page, so you apply direct. No account is needed on our site, and there's no middleman between you and the company. A few tips:

Apply to the exact job and town. Large employers post separate openings for Pecos, Orla, Carlsbad and Midland. Pick the ones you can realistically commute to or stay near.
Apply early. Entry-level jobs fill quickly. Free job alerts email you new matching jobs each morning.
Follow up. If a posting lists a recruiter or a local yard, a polite call or visit can make a difference.
Be open to a hitch. Many beginner jobs run on rotations like 14/7. Our guide to hitch schedules explains how they work.

Step 5: Pick a base town

Where you live (or stay) matters as much as where you apply. Midland and Odessa have the most openings and the most housing, while Pecos, Orla, Carlsbad, Hobbs and Kermit put you closer to Delaware Basin locations but have tighter housing. Our Delaware Basin towns guide covers each town, and you can browse openings by location on the towns page.

Avoid common mistakes

Paying for a "guaranteed" job. Legitimate employers don't charge you to apply. Every listing on our site comes from the company's own careers page.
Ignoring safety. New hands who ask questions and follow procedures get kept on.
Quitting after the first hitch. The first few weeks are the hardest. Stick it out long enough to learn the work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I really get an oilfield job with no experience?

Yes. Many employers in the Delaware and Permian Basin post trainee, helper and entry-level jobs and train on the job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that roustabout positions typically do not require experience. See today's openings on our no-experience oilfield jobs page.

What certifications do I need before applying?

None are strictly required for many entry-level jobs, and some employers pay for training after hiring. H2S awareness and a SafeLand/PEC Basic Orientation are the two most commonly requested and can help your application stand out.

How old do you have to be to work in the oilfield?

It depends on the employer and the job. Many field jobs require you to be at least 18. Driving jobs have extra age rules: in Texas and New Mexico you can get an intrastate-only CDL at 18, while interstate driving requires age 21.

Do I need a CDL to work in the oilfield?

No, but it helps. Many field jobs only need a regular driver's license. A Class A CDL opens water hauling, sand hauling and other driving jobs, and some frac trainee roles list a CDL as a requirement.

Do oilfield jobs provide housing?

Some do. Certain jobs, especially on remote rigs and hitch schedules, offer housing, a man camp room or per diem. On our search page you can filter for jobs that mention housing or per diem.

How do I apply for jobs on Delaware Basin Jobs?

Click any listing and you'll go straight to the employer's own application. There's no account or fee required on our site.

Start your search

Ready to look? Browse no-experience oilfield jobs, search all open jobs at delawarebasinjobs.com, or set up free job alerts so new entry-level jobs land in your inbox every morning.

More guides: Becoming an oilfield CDL driver · Delaware Basin towns guide · Where to get your safety cards · Hitch schedules explained