The United States oil, gas, and renewable energy sector is currently experiencing one of the strongest hiring booms in decades, with average salaries for experienced professionals regularly exceeding $110,000–$165,000 per year — and many roles offering full H-1B or EB-3 visa sponsorship for qualified international talent. In 2025, companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, SLB (Schlumberger), Halliburton, Occidental Petroleum, and next-generation renewable giants like NextEra Energy and Tesla Energy are actively recruiting foreign engineers, geoscientists, project managers, and data scientists willing to relocate to Texas, North Dakota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Alaska.

These $110,000+ positions are not limited to petroleum engineers. The industry desperately needs reservoir engineers earning $135,000–$190,000, drilling supervisors pulling in $150,000–$220,000 with overtime and bonuses, completions engineers averaging $140,000–$180,000, and even health-safety-environment (HSE) managers who routinely clear $120,000–$160,000 annually. When offshore rotational schedules (14/14 or 21/21) are factored in, total yearly compensation frequently climbs past $200,000–$300,000 because of day-rate bonuses and per diems.

Why Companies Are Willing to Pay $110,000–$300,000 and Sponsor Visas in 2025–2026

The “Great Crew Change” that began in 2014 has now reached critical mass. Approximately 50% of the current U.S. oil and gas workforce is aged 55+, and retirement waves are accelerating. At the same time, the U.S. became the world’s largest crude oil producer (13.3 million barrels per day in 2024) and the largest LNG exporter. This explosive growth has created a talent vacuum that domestic graduates alone cannot fill.

Major operators have publicly stated they are short thousands of qualified professionals. ExxonMobil’s 2025 capital budget alone is $28–$30 billion, Chevron is spending $26 billion, and ConocoPhillips has allocated $10–$11 billion — every dollar of that capex requires experienced hands on deck. Rather than delay multi-billion-dollar projects, operators prefer to pay six-figure relocation packages, legal fees for H-1B petitions ($5,000–$15,000 per case), and premium salaries starting at $110,000–$150,000 base to secure top global talent immediately.

Highest-Paying $110,000+ Oil, Gas & Energy Jobs Currently Sponsoring Visas

1. Petroleum Engineer ($115,000 – $195,000) ExxonMobil, Chevron, and EOG Resources posted more than 400 petroleum engineering roles in Q3–Q4 2025 with explicit H-1B sponsorship language. Average signing bonus: $15,000–$35,000.
2. Reservoir Engineer ($130,000 – $210,000) Companies operating in the Permian Basin (the world’s most productive oilfield) pay reservoir engineers an average of $165,000 plus 401(k) contributions up to 12%, and annual performance bonuses of 15–30%.
3. Drilling Engineer / Drilling Supervisor ($140,000 – $250,000+) Offshore Gulf of Mexico and Bakken rig operators routinely advertise day rates of $800–$1,200 for experienced drilling supervisors, translating to $180,000–$300,000+ per year on a 14/14 rotation.
4. Completions Engineer – Fracking Specialist ($135,000 – $220,000) The shale revolution continues unabated. Halliburton, SLB, and Liberty Energy are sponsoring dozens of completions experts every quarter at salaries starting at $140,000 with $20,000–$50,000 relocation packages.
5. Geosciences & Geomodelling Roles ($120,000 – $185,000) Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies need seismic interpreters and geomodellers for both conventional and carbon-capture projects. Many listings mention “visa sponsorship available” directly on the career portal.
6. Subsea Engineer / ROV Supervisor ($145,000 – $260,000) Deepwater projects in the Gulf of Mexico command premium pay. TechnipFMC and Oceaneering openly recruit internationally and cover the entire visa processes.
7. Renewable Energy Roles – Wind & Solar ($110,000 – $180,000) NextEra Energy (world’s largest renewable producer), Invenergy, and Ørsted are sponsoring power systems engineers, wind turbine leads, and project developers at $115,000–$160,000 base plus stock units.
8. Hydrogen & Carbon Capture Specialists ($130,000 – $200,000) ExxonMobil’s Low Carbon Solutions division and Occidental’s 1PointFive are building multi-billion-dollar direct air capture plants and offering six-figure packages with full immigration support.

Top Locations Paying $110,000+ with Visa Sponsorship

1. Houston, Texas – “Energy Capital of the World” – 10,000+ open roles
2. Midland & Odessa, Texas – Permian Basin boomtowns – field salaries routinely hit $160,000–$250,000
3. Denver, Colorado – DJ Basin and renewable hub
4. Bakersfield, California – heavy oil and emerging carbon capture
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Marcellus/Utica gas + hydrogen projects
6. Anchorage, Alaska – North Slope rotational jobs paying $200,000+
7. New Town, North Dakota – Bakken shale

How International Professionals Can Land These $110,000+ Visa-Sponsored Jobs

Step 1: Optimize Your LinkedIn & Resume Use exact phrases companies search for: “Petroleum Engineer H1B”, “Reservoir Engineer visa sponsorship”, “Drilling Supervisor 14/14 rotation”.

Step 2 Apply Directly on Company Career Pages The big operators post visa sponsorship status directly:

• ExxonMobil: careers.exxonmobil.com
• Chevron: chevron.com/careers
• ConocoPhillips: conocophillips.com/careers
• SLB: careers.slb.com (filter “North America” + “visa sponsorship available”)
• Halliburton: halliburton.com/en/careers

Step 3 Work with Specialist Recruiters Who Place $110k–$300k Roles

• NES Fircroft
• Airswift
• Orion Group
• Petroplan
• Worldwide Recruitment Solutions (WRS)

These agencies have direct contracts with operators and often cover legal fees for the H-1B lottery ($10,000–$15,000 value).

Step 4 Highlight Relevant Experience That Justifies $110,000+ Salary Companies pay premium dollars for:

• 5+ years in shale (Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford)
• Horizontal drilling & multi-stage fracturing
• Subsea tiebacks or floating production experience
• Carbon capture utilization & storage (CCUS)
• Offshore platform or FPSO experience

Conclusion

If you are an experienced engineer or geoscientist earning less than $110,000 in your home country, 2025–2026 represents a once-in-a-generation window to secure a six-figure U.S. energy career with full visa sponsorship, relocation package, and total compensation that can realistically exceed $200,000–$300,000 per year. Companies are not just willing, they are desperate, to pay these salaries to keep multi-billion-dollar projects on schedule.

READ ALSO: $140,000 Healthcare & Medical Careers in the USA Open to International Applicants

FAQs

Do U.S. oil and gas companies really pay $110,000–$300,000 and still sponsor H-1B visas in 2025–2026?

Yes, absolutely. Major operators such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, SLB, Halliburton, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources explicitly list “visa sponsorship available” or “H-1B sponsorship provided” on hundreds of job postings paying $115,000–$250,000 base salary. The labor shortage is so severe that companies willingly spend $8,000–$15,000 per candidate on legal and filing fees because delaying a $2–$5 billion project costs far more.

Which specific roles are most likely to get visa sponsorship and salaries above $110,000?

The highest-demand, highest-paid sponsored roles right now are:

• Reservoir Engineers ($135,000–$210,000)
• Drilling Engineers & Supervisors ($140,000–$280,000 with rotation)
• Completions & Frac Engineers ($135,000–$220,000)
• Subsea/ROV Engineers ($145,000–$260,000)
• Petroleum Production Engineers ($120,000–$190,000)
• Carbon Capture/Hydrogen Process Engineers ($130,000–$200,000)
• Offshore Installation Managers ($180,000–$350,000) All of these routinely include full H-1B or EB-3 sponsorship.

I have 5–8 years of experience outside the USA. Will companies still pay me $110,000+ and sponsor me?

Yes. International experience in shale plays (Argentina Vaca Muerta, Saudi Arabia Jafurah, Canada Duvernay, Australia Cooper Basin) or offshore projects (North Sea, Brazil pre-salt, West Africa) is highly valued. Recruiters regularly place engineers with zero U.S. experience into $130,000–$180,000 roles with full visa sponsorship and $20,000–$50,000 relocation packages.

What is the actual take-home pay after taxes on a $150,000 salary in Texas?

In Houston or Midland (no state income tax), a $150,000 base salary plus $25,000 bonus typically yields approximately $110,000–$118,000 net take-home after federal taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. Many companies also provide tax-equalization for the first 1–2 years for international hires.

Are rotational jobs (14/14 or 21/21) really paying $200,000–$350,000 per year?

Yes. A drilling supervisor or completions consultant on a $900–$1,200 day rate working 180–200 days per year easily clears $200,000–$300,000+. Companies like ConocoPhillips (Alaska), BP (Gulf of Mexico), and Shell (Appomattox platform) openly advertise these rates with visa sponsorship for experienced international candidates.

Can my family come with me on an H-1B visa sponsored by an oil company?

Yes. Your spouse gets an H-4 visa and, crucially, an H-4 EAD (work authorization card) allowing them to work unrestricted in the U.S. Children under 21 receive dependent visas and can attend public schools for free. Many packages include $10,000–$25,000 in family relocation assistance.

Which companies are the most active in sponsoring visas for $110,000+ energy jobs right now?

Top sponsors in 2025 (based on USCIS H-1B data and public job boards):

• ExxonMobil (hundreds of approvals)
• Chevron
• SLB (Schlumberger)
• Halliburton
• Baker Hughes
• Occidental Petroleum
• ConocoPhillips
• NextEra Energy (renewables)
• Tesla Energy All routinely approve 50–300+ H-1B petitions annually for six-figure roles.

Is the H-1B lottery still a problem? How do these companies guarantee sponsorship?

Many large operators are cap-exempt because they partner with universities or file under “institution of higher education” rules, but most simply file multiple entries and have 70–90% success rates due to high wage levels (Level III & IV wages). Several also fast-track to EB-2/EB-3 green cards within 12–24 months, bypassing future lotteries.

Are renewable energy jobs also offering $110,000+ with visa sponsorship?

Yes. NextEra Energy, Invenergy, Ørsted, Pattern Energy, and Tesla Energy are aggressively sponsoring wind, solar, and battery storage engineers at $115,000–$175,000 base plus RSUs and full family relocation. The Inflation Reduction Act created thousands of new high-paying green energy roles that mirror traditional oil & gas salaries.

How long does it take from application to starting a $150,000 job in the USA?

Typical timeline for experienced candidates:

• Application → Interview: 2–6 weeks
• Offer with sponsorship: 4–10 weeks
• H-1B filing (premium processing): 15 days approval
• Visa stamping & relocation: 4–12 weeks Many candidates start earning $110,000–$200,000 within 3–6 months of first applying.

Do I need U.S. certifications or can my international qualifications get me straight into a $110,000+ role?

Most companies accept international engineering degrees and professional experience directly. Some roles (especially in North Dakota or Alaska) may require a quick OSHA or Well Control certificate ($1,500–$3,000, usually paid by the employer). Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred but not mandatory for sponsorship.

What is the realistic total compensation in the first year including bonuses and benefits?

Example for a $140,000 base role in Texas:

• Base salary: $140,000
• Annual bonus: $21,000–$42,000
• Signing bonus: $15,000–$35,000
• Relocation package: $20,000–$50,000
• 401(k) match & stock: $15,000–$30,000
• Overtime/day-rate uplift (if rotational): $40,000–$100,000+ Realistic first-year total: $200,000–$320,000 for many sponsored professionals.