US oilfield services employment highest since March 2020 – Energy Workforce & Technology Council

(WO) — Employment in the U.S. oilfield services and equipment sector increased by 2,907 jobs to its highest level since March of 2020 to reach 656,368 in March, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) after adjustments to February numbers and analysis by the Energy Workforce & Technology Council (Energy Workforce).

February adjusted number of 653,461 is up slightly from the preliminary number of 652,108. Gains in February were made in four of the seven categories tracked by Energy Workforce. 

The March increase continues to bring the sector closer to pre-pandemic numbers of 706,528 in February 2020. Overall, U.S. employers added 236,000 jobs, lower than the 311,000 jobs added in February. The participation rate remained relatively unchanged with a minimal increase to 62.6% in March, and the overall unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5% from 3.6%. Leisure and hospitality, education and healthcare, government, and business services added workers in March while manufacturing, construction and retail all lost employees. 

“This past month, energy workforce job numbers increased to their highest level since March 2020,” said Energy Workforce & Technology Council CEO Leslie Beyer. “This is welcome news as our industry is exceeding expectations by meeting spikes in demand and producing close to pre-pandemic levels all while developing new technology and deploying innovative production processes that are lowering emissions. The oilfield services sector continues to build its workforce as it works to continue to meet ever growing global demand.”

March State-by-State Breakdown

Energy Workforce is the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector representing more than 650,000 U.S. jobs in the technology-driven energy value chain. Member companies are involved in energy equipment manufacturing, drilling, well completions, well services, pressure pumping, renewable energy technology and servicing, geothermal development, and more.

The innovative men and women who comprise this sector are leaders in developing and deploying innovative technologies on a global scale that increase efficiency, improve environmental performance, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy technology and services sector employment is estimated by analyzing data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and covers the economic activities of energy technology and services companies, which include oil and gas extraction, construction and manufacturing. Total employment is estimated using the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, published by BLS, and jobs data reported by BLS monthly.

Note: BLS data is preliminary for the two most recent months and is subject to revision. Energy Workforce incorporates monthly totals according to BLS corrections and updates the statistical model quarterly.