Updated October 30, 2026
Oilfield Hitch Schedules Explained (14/7, 21/7, 7/7 and More)
If you've looked at oilfield jobs in the Permian, you've seen postings that say "14/7 rotation," "21/7 hitch" or "7 on / 7 off." A hitch is a stretch of days you work in a row, followed by a stretch of days off. Hitches exist because rigs, frac fleets and remote facilities run around the clock, often far from where crews live. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that crews in remote areas "may spend weeks away from home and work long shifts 7 days a week," with periods of time off in between (BLS).
This guide explains the common schedules, how the math works on time off and overtime, and what to ask before you sign on. To see openings that list a rotation, browse hitch and rotation jobs or 14/7 jobs at delawarebasinjobs.com.
How to read a hitch schedule
The first number is days on. The second number is days off. So:
- 14/7 = 14 days working, then 7 days off. The cycle is 21 days.
- 21/7 = 21 days on, 7 off. The cycle is 28 days.
- 7/7 = 7 on, 7 off. The cycle is 14 days.
- 14/14 = 14 on, 14 off. The cycle is 28 days.
- 20/10 or 28/14 = longer cycles that keep the same 2:1 ratio as 14/7.
Hitch days are usually long. Twelve-hour shifts are common, and some crews rotate between day and night "towers." The posting or the recruiter should tell you the shift length.
The common schedules compared
| Schedule | Days on | Days off | Share of the year working* | Typical examples (varies by company) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7 | 7 | 7 | about 50% | Production, some field service and plant crews |
| 14/14 | 14 | 14 | about 50% | Some drilling rigs and remote crews |
| 14/7 | 14 | 7 | about 67% | Rigs, frac/completions, field service techs |
| 21/7 | 21 | 7 | about 75% | Remote or travel-heavy crews |
| 5/2 or 4/3 | 4–5 | 2–3 | n/a (weekly) | Shop, yard, office and many lease operator jobs |
*Simple ratio of days on to total cycle days, before travel days, holidays or schedule changes.
14/7 is one of the most common rotations in the Basin. Today Delaware Basin Jobs has 40 jobs listing a hitch or rotation, and 12 of them specify 14/7. Check the hitch jobs page for today's numbers.
How hitch pay and overtime work
Every company pays differently, so the posting and your offer letter are the final word. A few rules and patterns are worth understanding.
Overtime is weekly, not per hitch. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt employees must be paid at least time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek, and an employer can't average hours across two or more weeks (U.S. Department of Labor). So a full week of 12-hour days is 84 hours. If you're hourly and non-exempt, 44 of those hours are overtime. Some salaried and supervisory roles are exempt, so ask how your position is classified.
Days off are usually unpaid for hourly workers. A 14/7 hand works hard for two weeks, then has a week with no hours. Budget around your average monthly pay, not your best week.
Per diem and housing. Many rotation jobs include per diem, a lodge or man camp room, or company housing. These are worth real money, so ask exactly what's covered (meals, laundry, a private room). On our search page you can filter for jobs that mention housing or per diem.
Travel days. Ask whether travel to and from the job is paid, and whether the company covers flights or mileage if you live out of state.
Hitches for CDL drivers
Drivers on a hitch still have to follow federal hours-of-service rules. For oilfield work there's one helpful exception: drivers of vehicles used only to serve oil and gas field operations can restart their 70-hour/8-day limit after 24 hours off instead of 34 (49 CFR 395.1(d)). Read more in our oilfield CDL driver guide.
Pros and cons of working a hitch
Pros
- Long, guaranteed stretches off, so you can live far away and commute by hitch
- Lots of hours, and overtime if you're non-exempt
- Housing or per diem is common on remote jobs
- Days off are fully yours, with no "on call" weekends
Cons
- Long days with few breaks during the hitch
- Time away from family, especially on 21/7
- Fatigue near the end of a hitch, which is a real safety risk
- Unpaid days off for many hourly roles
Questions to ask before you accept a rotation job
- What is the exact schedule, and how long are the shifts?
- Are shifts day, night, or rotating?
- Is the position hourly non-exempt or salaried?
- Is housing provided, or per diem? How much, and what does it cover?
- Where do I report: a yard, a lodge, or straight to location?
- Are travel days paid?
- How firm is the schedule? Do hitches get extended when work is busy?
Choosing a schedule that fits
- If you live in Midland or Odessa and the yard is close, a 5/2 or 7/7 job may fit better than a long hitch.
- If you live out of town or out of state, 14/7, 14/14 or 20/10 lets you work the Basin and go home on your days off.
- If you're new, a 14/7 rig, frac or field service job is a common way in. See how to get an oilfield job with no experience.
- Think about where you'll stay. Remote towns like Orla, Mentone and Jal rely on workforce lodges. Our Delaware Basin towns guide has housing notes for each town.
Frequently asked questions
What does 14/7 mean in the oilfield?
It means 14 days working followed by 7 days off, on a repeating 21-day cycle. Shifts are often 12 hours, so it's a long two weeks followed by a full week at home.
What is the difference between 14/14 and 14/7?
A 14/14 schedule gives you as many days off as days on, about half the year working. A 14/7 has you working about two-thirds of the time, so it usually means more hours and more pay, but less time at home.
Do you get paid on your days off during a hitch?
Usually not, for hourly employees: you're paid for the hours you work during the hitch. Some salaried roles are paid evenly across the year. Ask how the position is classified.
How does overtime work on a 14/7 hitch?
For non-exempt employees, federal law requires at least time and a half for hours over 40 in each workweek, and weeks can't be averaged together. A 7-day week of 12-hour shifts is 84 hours, so 44 of those hours would be overtime.
Do hitch jobs include housing?
Many remote and rotation jobs offer housing, a lodge room or per diem, but not all. Check the posting or ask the recruiter. You can filter for housing and per diem on our search page.
Where can I find hitch and rotation jobs in the Permian?
Delaware Basin Jobs lists jobs that mention a hitch or rotation, such as 14/7 or 7/7, from employers' own careers pages, updated daily.
Find a rotation that works for you
Browse hitch and rotation jobs, see 14/7 oilfield jobs, or search all jobs with a hitch filter at delawarebasinjobs.com. Every listing links straight to the employer's application, with no account needed.
More guides: Getting hired with no experience · Becoming an oilfield CDL driver · Delaware Basin towns guide · Where to get your safety cards