Job Prospects in Energy Field

Jobs in the energy, oil and gas field come under the group of mining jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This group comprises both oil and natural gas jobs. The energy field offers jobs for everyone. There are executive and managerial jobs for professional people. Some hard working people have jobs in construction, extraction or production including oil rigs and rotary drill operators, roustabouts, electricians as well as refinery operators.

Energy sector also offers various opportunities for technical or science oriented people in the field of engineering and geology. As per Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 70 percent of U.S. employees are working in California, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Coal mining and associated activities are carried in three states. Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky are the major states where coal mining and connected activities are carried out.

Employees working in the energy sector comparatively earn more in the industry. However, BLS forecasts a decline in the employment for the energy sector in the future as well as decrease in the wages or salaries by 2 percent. Energy sector is always surrounded by uncertainties and fluctuations because of the companies' investment in upcoming technologies, prices hikes and expansion plans and their explorations. At the same time, lower prices of products have exactly the opposite effect.

New technologies are entering the market which includes innovative drilling techniques, 3-D as well as 4-D seismic exploration methods, and technologies to explore the deep sea. It will increase the demand for a skilled workforce. About 60 percent of employees in the utility sector will retire by 2016. It provides a great opportunity for job seekers.