North Sea rig workers in the money as oil pay gushes up

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A typical North Sea worker earns an average £540 a day while someone at director level working on a rig there can command around £900 a day, according to recruitment group Hays.

It annual survey of pay across the oil and gas industry shows rates have risen by a staggering 30% over the past year as more and more firms are prepared to explore and develop fields in harder-to-reach places.

Full-time UK oil professionals are enjoying average salaries of £55,850 a year, which is more than twice the national salary average of £26,244.

Matt Underhill, managing director of Hays Oil & Gas, commented: "Last year we reported a 30% rise in contractor wages for UK professionals.

"This was particularly encouraging for UK-based oil and gas professionals as the rates are a good indicator of the state of the job market, being more reactive to short-term changes in demand for skills."

Hays said UK wages across the sector are some 8% higher than the global average.

It also said it expects buoyant demand through 2012 as North Sea activity continues to build up.