Can I assume truck driver positions pay more than general labor positions in the oil sands Alberta?

Question

And if so is it a good idea to get heavy truck training beforehand? thank you.

Answer 1

If you plan on working in the oil fields be prepared for some extra long hours. The standard day is minimum 12 hour shifts. 8 hours are paid at regular time and anything over that is at time and a half.There are shortages of staff in all areas and this website explains wages and where the greatest shortages are. Truck drivers on the average make $19.29 per hour and work about 49.6 hours a week. If you are planning to take some training before going there here are some standard wages being paid for various positions. There are a lot of higher paying jobs and the wages shown as well but they are more highly trained positions. It might help you decide what you would like to train for.
General oil and gas drilling workers $16.63 an hour.
Floor Hand $23.50 an hour with 12 hour shifts. With 4 hours at overtime it works out to $329.00 a day plus living allowance of $125.00 a day. You often work 2 weeks on and one week off.
Derrick Hand 25% more than a floor hand.
Driller 50% more than a floor hand.
The direct link won't let me copy and past the url but heres how you get to it. http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=canadian+oil+field+wages&btnG=Google+Search&meta= and then choose the website " Do I Have what It Takes" ( first one in the list and it will open the page.) fromwww.nickles.com/marketplace/pdfs/takes-cr05.pdf - This is the site that I got the payscales from and it also has a lot of other info. Sorry that the direct link to the page can't be cut and pasted here but it opens right up if you follow the steps I gave you.
There is a living allowance of $125.00 a day paid on all positions as far as I know.
A few tips: Make sure that there is room in their bunkhouses on the site for you because in some areas like Fort Nelson, BC there is 0% vacancy rate for living accomodations. ( I had to leave there because I couldn't find a place to live in the 2 months I was there. If you do have to rent a place in the remote areas like Fort Nelson the rent is extremely high. Stock up on everything you will need including clothes and toiletries because you will pay about three times more in the remote area's.
Here is a list of oil fields which include employment links.
They are all hiring and these sites tell you whats available and how to apply.
http://oilsands.infomine.com/careers/...
http://www.roughneckchronicles.com/oil_j...
http://www.infooil.com/country/canada/jo...
http://www.oilcareer.com/
http://www.infooil.com/
cont=alberta%20oil%20field%20j...
This site offers information on oilfield jobs explaining HOW to get a job on the fields and what qualifications they look for, etc. There is a link as well so you can purchase a book called Western Canadian Oilfield Work Directory.
http://www.jobs-canada.ca/oilfielddir.ht...
http://www.jobs-canada.ca/oilfielddir.ht...
These 4 links are some of the largest oil company websites which include an employment section.
http://www.ledcor.com/en
http://www.shell.ca/home/framework?sitei...
http://www.flint-energy.com/
http://www.cnrl.com/horizon/hcml/constru...

There is a major shortage of staff right now so you can pretty much just show up on a site and be put to work and a lot of places are paying a sign on bonus. Make sure to take your work boots and lots of warm clothing because you could be working in -40 degree weather in the winter.
Good luck in your job search and I hope this is helpful to you.

Answer 2

Unless there is a surplus of workers in that field, any skilled labor always pays better than unskilled.
Yes, truck drivers would make better $.

I would get training. Gives you a lot more options, lots of places won't even talk to you if you are not qualified.

If you have the certs it will open more doors for you getting jobs,
If someone hires you without your being qualified, expect to make less, since you are only a trainee.,

Answer 3

Sounds like a good consideration Simon. From what I've heard, they can't get enough skilled labor in Northern Alberta. It's hard work, away from family and 'Starbucks' but the pay and benefits, especially for a young person, are apparently well worth it. Good Luck!

Answer 4

You assume correctly but as with any oilpatch job, experience pays more. If it is experience you need, try Yellowknife doing road construction for a summer or working on a crusher. The pay is good and the hours long.