A U.S. federal agency that tracks wage rates, employment trends, and labour costs by trade and region. Subcontractors use BLS data to benchmark crew rates and support bid pricing. It also publishes injury and fatality statistics relevant to oil and gas and construction fields.
BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Related Terms
Shoulder Season
WorkforceThe transitional period between peak and slow seasons when project volumes drop and scheduling becomes unpredictable. Subcontractors often face reduced call-outs, crew utilisation gaps, and tighter margins during these windows. Common in oilsands and construction work between summer and winter campaigns.
IRP (Integrated Resource Plan)
WorkforceA client's long-term plan outlining labour, equipment, and service needs across a project or portfolio. Subcontractors use it to forecast crew deployment and equipment commitments. It helps field service companies align capacity and bids with upcoming work cycles.
Back Wages
WorkforceUnpaid earnings owed to workers for hours already worked. For subcontractors, this often arises from payroll errors, misclassification, or disputed overtime on remote job sites. Unresolved back wage claims can trigger labour audits and project holdbacks.
CLRC (Construction Labor Research Council)
WorkforceA U.S. research organisation that tracks and publishes construction labour wage rates and collective bargaining data. Subcontractors use CLRC reports to benchmark labour costs and support bid pricing on union projects.
Fissured Workplace
WorkforceA jobsite where work is performed by multiple layers of subcontractors rather than direct employees of the site owner. For field service companies, this means accountability, liability, and payment flow through several parties. Subcontractors must track their position in the contracting chain carefully.
Shift Rotation
WorkforceA scheduled cycle that determines when field crews work and rest, commonly structured as 14 days on and 14 days off in remote oil and gas sites. Subcontractors must account for rotation schedules when planning crew mobilisation and labour costs. Misaligned rotations between a subcontractor and prime contractor can cause costly coverage gaps.
Latest Workforce News
US Oil and Gas Extraction Payrolls Edge Up in May, BLS Data Shows
US oil and gas extraction employment rose slightly from 115,500 in April to 115,600 in May 2026, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The gain is modest, with May's figure ranking as the second lowest for that month in a decade of BLS records.
3 months agoWorkforceOil and Gas Extraction Jobs Edge Up in August, BLS Data Shows
US oil and gas extraction employment rose from 114,700 in July to 114,900 in August, a rare month-over-month gain that Rigzone notes has only happened three times in the past decade.
27 days agoWorkforceOil and Gas Extraction Employment Has Fallen in 7 of the Last 10 Years, BLS Data Shows
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals oil and gas extraction employment dropped from 187,300 in January 2016 to 115,500 in January 2026, with the decline continuing into early 2026. Here's what the shrinking labor pool means for field service companies.
5 months agoWorkforceUS Oil and Gas Extraction Jobs Fall to Lowest Level Since 2022
U.S. oil and gas extraction employment dropped to 114,600 in July 2026, the lowest level since March 2022, according to BLS data reported by Rigzone. The decline signals softer demand for upstream drilling and completions work.
1 month agoRelated Guides
When Your Crew's Behaviour Becomes a Business Problem: Managing Field Conduct on Active Subcontracts
What subcontractors are liable for when field personnel create conflict on a GC-managed site, and how to protect your contracts before it becomes a termination issue.
Workforce GuideHow to Get Your First Oilfield Job: A Practical Guide for Tradespeople and CDL Holders
No oilfield experience? No problem. Learn which certifications, service lines, and job boards actually get tradespeople and CDL holders hired.
Workforce GuideFrom the Field to the Office: What Oilfield Workers Should Know Before Making the Switch
Thinking about moving from field work to an office role? This guide covers how your field experience translates into technical and operations positions, what the transition actually looks like, and the trade-offs most people do not talk about until it is too late.
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