Oil industry demands most grueling work weeks — but offers top pay

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1. Roustabout Median hours: 61/week Median wage: $14.11/hour Median overtime: $21.00/hour
1. Roustabout Median hours: 61/week Median wage: $14.11/hour Median overtime: $21.00/hour
Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News
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2. Driller Median hours: 59/week Median wage: $20.13/hour Median overtime: $27.85/hour
2. Driller Median hours: 59/week Median wage: $20.13/hour Median overtime: $27.85/hour
Photo: Tesco
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3. Fire Captain Median hours: 58/week Median wage: $21.54/hour Median overtime: $36.89/hour
3. Fire Captain Median hours: 58/week Median wage: $21.54/hour Median overtime: $36.89/hour
Photo: Kent Porter / Associated Press
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4. Service Unit Operator (oil, gas, mining) Median hours: 57/week Median wage: $16.98/hour Median overtime: $26.35/hour
4. Service Unit Operator (oil, gas, mining) Median hours: 57/week Median wage: $16.98/hour Median overtime: $26.35/hour
Photo: Jennifer A. Dlouhy / Houston Chronicle
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5. Fuel Tanker Driver Median hours: 52/week Median wage: $18.13/hour Median overtime: $26.87/hour
5. Fuel Tanker Driver Median hours: 52/week Median wage: $18.13/hour Median overtime: $26.87/hour
Photo: Eric Kayne / Houston Chronicle
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6. Commercial driver Median hours: 51/week Median wages: $20.58/hour Median overtime: $31.92/hour
6. Commercial driver Median hours: 51/week Median wages: $20.58/hour Median overtime: $31.92/hour
Photo: Suzanne Rehak / For the Chronicle
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7. Paramedic Supervisor Median hours: 50/week Median wage: $17.97/hour Median overtime: $26.27/hour
7. Paramedic Supervisor Median hours: 50/week Median wage: $17.97/hour Median overtime: $26.27/hour
Photo: Jessica Hill / Associated Press
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8. Coal Mine Worker / Roof Bolter Median hours: 50/week Median wage: $23.04/hour Median overtime: $34.89/hour
8. Coal Mine Worker / Roof Bolter Median hours: 50/week Median wage: $23.04/hour Median overtime: $34.89/hour
Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
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9. Petroleum Plant Operator Median hours: 48/week Median wage: $25.48/hour Median overtime: $34.59/hour
9. Petroleum Plant Operator Median hours: 48/week Median wage: $25.48/hour Median overtime: $34.59/hour
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10. Radio Tower & Radar Technician Median hours: 48/week Median hours: $16.37/hour Median overtime: $24.59/hour
10. Radio Tower & Radar Technician Median hours: 48/week Median hours: $16.37/hour Median overtime: $24.59/hour
Photo: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP/Getty Images
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If the exhaustion you feel at the end of the work day wasn’t evidence enough, the career experts at PayScale have analyzed the data and delivered the proof: Workers in the oil industry have the most grueling work weeks.

In an analysis of jobs in which most workers receive hourly wages, energy-related professions claimed six of the top 10 longest work weeks. Roustabouts take the top spot, with a median work week of 61 hours. Drillers are not far behind, with a median of 59 hours per week, according to PayScale.

Top dollar: Texas chemical engineers banking $140,000

But the oil industry compensates well for the long hours. Workers in the energy industry also were among the highest paid, with petroleum plant operators earning the highest median wage in the top 10 — $25.48.

PayScale is an online service that surveys workers with various job titles on wages, salaries and other career data.

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