Seismic interpreter : Salary and conditions

• Typical starting salaries are between £25,000 and £30,000. Salaries often increase significantly after initial training. In addition, many companies pay a comprehensive range of benefits to their employees and families.
• After several years' experience salaries of £50,000 to £75,000+ are not uncommon. However, there is wide variation depending on the nature of the company and location.
• Working hours are mainly nine to five, but additional hours may be required at key stages during a project or when a deadline must be met.
• The majority of the work is office based.
• Many roles are permanent, but companies also offer long-term contracts with higher rates of pay. Recruitment depends on the changing demand for oil, which is currently buoyant.
• The industry is still male dominated with the majority of jobs at all levels being carried out by men. However, the number of women is increasing and there are large variations in gender balance from company to company.
• Geographical mobility is important as exploration and production sites move to new locations around the world. Large companies provide accommodation and support for families in residential postings around the globe.
• English is usually the language used for business in offices worldwide. In the UK, the majority of jobs are based around London or Aberdeen.
• A number of companies have sites in many parts of the world and on any oil field there is likely to be a culturally diverse workforce.
• The work may not be stressful on a daily basis, but there will be extremely busy times, such as when a drilling proposal is being put together or when a problem arises.
• Occasionally the work can become dangerous in the sense that oil is a politically sensitive commodity, so outbreaks of international tension may have an effect on the location or the day-to-day working conditions for employees.

Salary figures are intended as a guide only.