Pacific Drilling Salary

Pacific Drilling Salary

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As of May 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Pacific Drilling in the United States is $121,724. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $59. Salaries at Pacific Drilling typically range from $107,058 to $137,620 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Pacific Drilling

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Pacific Drilling. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Pacific Drilling’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Pacific Drilling's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Ensco PLC $125,616
+3.2%
Driven by niche technical certifications required for Ensco PLC's specialized projects.
Diamond Offshore $126,270
+3.7%
Reflects structural premiums typical of Diamond Offshore's large-cap national operations.
Paragon Offshore PLC $123,549
+1.5%
Suggests Paragon Offshore PLC utilizes a highly similar base-plus-benefits compensation model.
Allis Chalmers Energy Inc $127,240
+4.5%
Data suggests Allis Chalmers Energy Inc's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
Energy & Utilities Industry $130,148
+6.9%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

How Pacific Drilling's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

Explore companies in the same industry to compare average salaries, benefits, and career opportunities with those at Pacific Drilling. Click a company name to learn more.

Employee Reviews: Working at Pacific Drilling

Considering a career at Pacific Drilling? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Recognition programs motivate and reward performance. Management is supportive and prioritizes safety, which is critical in this industry. Communication from leadership is polite but sometimes delayed. This energy provider offers stability and purpose that's hard to find elsewhere. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, wellness initiatives, and flexible hours for balance.
Commented in February 16, 2025
37
0
A forward-thinking, dependable company making real progress in sustainable energy delivery. Collaboration and innovation are daily norms. Field crews have access to the best protective equipment and tools available. Competitive pay and solid benefits for employees. Training exists but is not emphasized, making long-term development somewhat not difficult to track or pursue. Management fosters a cu...
Commented in May 12, 2024
49
2
There’s also an emphasis on mentoring and internal advancement. There's room for innovation, and no micromanagement. Career progression opportunities are present but often influenced by seniority.
Commented in February 05, 2024
50
0

Pacific Drilling Overview

Website
www.pacificdrilling.com
Founded In
2006
Employees
500 - 1,000 employees
Industry
Energy & Utilities
Headquarter Address
11700 Katy Fwy Houston Texas TX 77079
Revenue
$500 Million - $1B
Phone Number
+1 7133346662
Social Media
About Pacific Drilling
Pacific Drilling S.A., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an offshore drilling contractor. It provides offshore drilling services to the oil and natural gas industry. The company contracts floating rigs to drill wells for its customers. It has a fleet of seven drillships. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Pacific Drilling S.A. is a subsidiary of Quant

What Benefits Does Pacific Drilling Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Pacific Drilling offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Houston?

Understanding the cost of living near Houston is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Pacific Drilling.
Houston's Cost of Living Index is approximately 98.5 (1.5% less expensive than US average; 5.9% more than TX average). Major city, energy/medical hub, housing generally affordable for size, but varies. METRO bus/rail. When planning your budget based on a salary from Pacific Drilling, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,200 - $1,800+ A significant portion of Pacific Drilling salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 (High AC use) Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $40 (METRO Q Card monthly) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $400 - $590 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $400 - $750+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $380 - $700+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,570 - $4,090+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Pacific Drilling

1. How much does Pacific Drilling in the United States pay?

Pacific Drilling pays its employees an average of $121,724 per year. The average salary at Pacific Drilling range from $107,058 to $137,620 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.

2. Do Pacific Drilling employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at Pacific Drilling is lesser than its peer company. The average annual salary at Pacific Drilling is $121,724, or an hourly wage of $59, in comparison to Ensco PLC which pays $125,616 per year or $60 per hour.

3. What are the highest paying jobs at Pacific Drilling?

The higher-paying job at Pacific Drilling, according to our data, include Chief Engineer (avg. $320,127 per year), Director, Human Resources, Operations (avg. $178,876 per year), and Rig Manager (avg. $162,960 per year). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.

4. How much does salary increase with years of experience at Pacific Drilling?

Salary progression with years of experience at Pacific Drilling is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.

5. Do salaries at Pacific Drilling vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at Pacific Drilling vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for Houston section provides more context.

6. Does Pacific Drilling offer good benefits?

Pacific Drilling typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Pacific Drilling" section on this page.

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