UK Offshore Pay · 2026

Offshore Salary Guide UK 2026

Verified 2026 day rates for twelve offshore roles across oil, gas and offshore wind. Entry-level deck crew start at £180 a day; Offshore Installation Managers reach £1,200. Pick your role for pay progression, the tickets that unlock the top of the band, and who is hiring.

Quick answer

UK offshore pay in 2026 ranges from around £180 a day for entry-level roustabouts and stewards to £1,200 a day for an Offshore Installation Manager. A mid-level technician on a 3/3 rotation typically earns £220 to £400 a day, roughly £45,000 to £70,000 a year.

Entry level roles

£180 to £220 a day
Roustabout
£33,000 to £42,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£240 to £320 a day
Roughneck
£44,000 to £58,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£220 to £320 a day
Offshore Chef
£42,000 to £58,000 a year
See pay breakdown

Skilled trade roles

£320 to £420 a day
Offshore Scaffolder
£58,000 to £75,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£320 to £480 a day
Rope Access Technician (IRATA)
£58,000 to £85,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£380 to £520 a day
Offshore Mechanical Technician
£68,000 to £92,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£400 to £540 a day
Offshore Electrical Technician
£72,000 to £96,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£400 to £560 a day
Offshore Instrument Technician
£72,000 to £100,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£300 to £450 a day
Offshore Wind Turbine Technician
£42,000 to £75,000 a year
See pay breakdown

Senior / supervisory roles

£380 to £520 a day
Offshore Medic
£70,000 to £95,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£720 to £950 a day
Driller
£130,000 to £170,000 a year
See pay breakdown
£750 to £1,200 a day
Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)
£135,000 to £220,000 a year
See pay breakdown
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Offshore salary questions, answered

How much do offshore workers earn in the UK?

UK offshore pay in 2026 runs from about £180 a day for entry-level roustabouts and stewards to £1,200 a day for Offshore Installation Managers. A typical mid-level technician on a 3/3 rotation earns £220 to £400 a day, roughly £45,000 to £70,000 a year.

Which offshore job pays the most?

Offshore Installation Manager is the highest paid platform role at up to £1,200 a day. Below that, drillers, instrument technicians and HV authorised persons command the strongest technician rates, while rope access and blade repair specialists earn premiums for dual-skilled work.

Is offshore pay quoted daily or annually?

Contractors are almost always paid a day rate for days worked offshore, so annual earnings depend on rotation. Staff positions quote an annual salary that already covers the full rotation cycle, usually with an offshore allowance on top.

Do offshore workers pay UK tax?

Yes, if you are UK resident. Continental shelf workers are taxed through PAYE or self-assessment depending on contract type. Seafarers Earnings Deduction can apply to some vessel-based roles, but it rarely applies to fixed platform work.