GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Petroleum Industry Statistics

Petroleum industry boosts workforce development, diversity, safety, and digital HR tools.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

About 40% of oil companies are planning to increase diversity and inclusion initiatives in HR policies by 2025

Statistic 2

The petroleum industry’s overall gender pay gap is approximately 8%, which is below the average for energy sectors

Statistic 3

Oil companies with diverse leadership tend to have 12% higher profitability

Statistic 4

The sector's diversity index, measuring inclusion, has increased by 10% over the last three years, as reported in sector reports

Statistic 5

Approximately 68% of oil companies provide specialized training programs for safety and compliance

Statistic 6

The petroleum industry invests an estimated 4 billion USD annually in workforce training and development

Statistic 7

The turnover rate in the petroleum industry is estimated at 14%, which is slightly higher than the average manufacturing sector

Statistic 8

The petroleum industry’s workforce is expected to grow by 3% annually over the next five years

Statistic 9

The petroleum industry’s average vacancy duration for skilled technical positions is 45 days

Statistic 10

Mental health support programs in oil and gas companies saw a 35% increase in employee utilization over two years

Statistic 11

The petroleum industry has seen a 15% increase in remote work policies for office-related roles since 2019

Statistic 12

About 25% of HR budgets in oil companies are allocated to employee wellness programs

Statistic 13

The number of apprenticeships in petroleum sector HR training programs increased by 22% in the last five years

Statistic 14

The implementation of flexible work arrangements in oil companies increased employee satisfaction scores by 18%

Statistic 15

The petroleum sector’s investment in leadership development programs increased by 15% in 2022

Statistic 16

Employee turnover costs for the oil and gas industry are estimated to be 1.5 billion USD annually

Statistic 17

The number of organizations implementing mental health days as part of HR policies increased by 40% since 2020

Statistic 18

Companies investing in leadership training reported a 14% higher employee productivity rate

Statistic 19

The sector’s annual spend on employee well-being programs represents approximately 3% of total HR budget

Statistic 20

The average cost per hire in the petroleum industry is estimated at $4,200, higher than many other sectors

Statistic 21

Occupational health programs in oil and gas companies have reduced work-related injuries by 18% over five years

Statistic 22

About 35% of HR budgets in the petroleum industry are spent on compliance and safety regulations, indicating the sector’s focus on safety

Statistic 23

About 20% of offshore oil and gas companies now offer wellness programs tailored for remote and offshore workers

Statistic 24

The average time to fill a managerial vacancy in oil and gas is 50 days, longer than the average for other industries

Statistic 25

Recognition and reward programs implemented by oil companies have increased employee motivation scores by 22%

Statistic 26

Around 65% of HR professionals report that their companies use competency-based interviews for technical roles

Statistic 27

52% of oil and gas companies have increased their investment in employee health and safety training post-pandemic

Statistic 28

The average age of employees in the oil and gas industry is 41 years

Statistic 29

HR departments in the petroleum sector report a 30% increase in the use of AI and automation tools for recruitment over the last three years

Statistic 30

Employee safety training completion rates increased by 25% after implementing e-learning modules in oil and gas companies

Statistic 31

The use of predictive analytics in HR for oil companies has increased recruitment efficiency by 20%

Statistic 32

Employee engagement scores in the petroleum industry improved by 10% after implementing HR digital transformation projects

Statistic 33

Oil and gas companies utilize an average of three different HRIS (Human Resource Information Systems) per organization to manage employee data

Statistic 34

HR departments in the petroleum industry report a 20% decrease in time-to-hire after adopting new talent acquisition technologies

Statistic 35

HR departments report that 45% of their workforce planning involves upskilling existing employees

Statistic 36

The petroleum industry is seeing a 25% rise in recruitment applications through mobile devices

Statistic 37

The use of virtual reality tools for safety training in oil companies increased by 30% between 2021 and 2023

Statistic 38

HR decision-making in oil companies increasingly relies on data analytics, with 60% of organizations integrating such tools into their processes

Statistic 39

The sector’s adoption of automation in HR processes has led to a 25% reduction in administrative tasks, freeing HR teams for strategic planning

Statistic 40

The implementation of AI-based chatbots in HR processes in oil companies has reduced screening time by 40%

Statistic 41

The petroleum industry employs approximately 2.5 million people globally

Statistic 42

Women make up about 22% of the workforce in the oil and gas sector worldwide

Statistic 43

Around 15% of HR professionals in the petroleum industry are dedicated specifically to workforce development

Statistic 44

Oil and gas companies report a 12% higher retention rate when implementing robust HR development programs

Statistic 45

Women in leadership roles in the petroleum industry account for approximately 12%

Statistic 46

The average salary for HR managers in the oil and gas sector is around $85,000 annually

Statistic 47

Oil and gas companies report that 55% of their new hires are recruited through online platforms and social media

Statistic 48

The average annual training hours per employee in oil and gas sector is around 35 hours

Statistic 49

About 58% of HR professionals in oil and gas cite talent attraction as their biggest challenge

Statistic 50

The average tenure of HR professionals in the petroleum sector is approximately 4.5 years

Statistic 51

Approximately 70% of oil and gas companies have an active diversity and inclusion policy

Statistic 52

Oil and gas companies experience an average of 12% absenteeism rate, attributed mainly to health and safety issues

Statistic 53

60% of HR professionals in the petroleum industry believe that automation will significantly change future workforce needs

Statistic 54

The sector’s average age of workforce could increase to 43 years by 2030 without targeted recruitment

Statistic 55

65% of the petroleum industry’s workforce has access to comprehensive health benefits, including mental health support

Statistic 56

Oil and gas employers report that 50% of new hires feel unprepared for on-the-job safety requirements, emphasizing the need for better onboarding

Statistic 57

48% of HR professionals in oil and gas cite retention as their biggest challenge, especially in technical roles

Statistic 58

The average annual attrition rate among expatriate employees in the petroleum industry is 10%, often linked to relocation issues

Statistic 59

The petroleum industry’s global gender representation in HR roles is approximately 24%, with notable increases in North America and Europe

Statistic 60

The petroleum industry’s turnover among remote offshore workers is about 8%, which is below onshore sectors

Statistic 61

The average age of HR professionals in the petroleum industry is 45 years, indicating a mature workforce with experience

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Key Highlights

The petroleum industry employs approximately 2.5 million people globally
Women make up about 22% of the workforce in the oil and gas sector worldwide
Around 15% of HR professionals in the petroleum industry are dedicated specifically to workforce development
The average age of employees in the oil and gas industry is 41 years
Oil and gas companies report a 12% higher retention rate when implementing robust HR development programs
Approximately 68% of oil companies provide specialized training programs for safety and compliance
The petroleum industry invests an estimated 4 billion USD annually in workforce training and development
The turnover rate in the petroleum industry is estimated at 14%, which is slightly higher than the average manufacturing sector
HR departments in the petroleum sector report a 30% increase in the use of AI and automation tools for recruitment over the last three years
The petroleum industry’s workforce is expected to grow by 3% annually over the next five years
Employee safety training completion rates increased by 25% after implementing e-learning modules in oil and gas companies
Women in leadership roles in the petroleum industry account for approximately 12%
The average salary for HR managers in the oil and gas sector is around $85,000 annually

The petroleum industry is evolving rapidly, with key insights showing a dynamic workforce of 2.5 million globally—where women comprise just 22%, yet companies are investing billions in training, safety, and diversity initiatives to meet the demands of a shifting talent landscape.

Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

About 40% of oil companies are planning to increase diversity and inclusion initiatives in HR policies by 2025
The petroleum industry’s overall gender pay gap is approximately 8%, which is below the average for energy sectors
Oil companies with diverse leadership tend to have 12% higher profitability
The sector's diversity index, measuring inclusion, has increased by 10% over the last three years, as reported in sector reports

Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

With nearly 40% of oil firms ramping up diversity efforts by 2025 and evidence that inclusive leadership boosts profits by 12%, it's clear that the petroleum industry is finally drilling for equality—fueling not just energy, but also progress.

Employment Trends and Company Practices

Approximately 68% of oil companies provide specialized training programs for safety and compliance
The petroleum industry invests an estimated 4 billion USD annually in workforce training and development
The turnover rate in the petroleum industry is estimated at 14%, which is slightly higher than the average manufacturing sector
The petroleum industry’s workforce is expected to grow by 3% annually over the next five years
The petroleum industry’s average vacancy duration for skilled technical positions is 45 days
Mental health support programs in oil and gas companies saw a 35% increase in employee utilization over two years
The petroleum industry has seen a 15% increase in remote work policies for office-related roles since 2019
About 25% of HR budgets in oil companies are allocated to employee wellness programs
The number of apprenticeships in petroleum sector HR training programs increased by 22% in the last five years
The implementation of flexible work arrangements in oil companies increased employee satisfaction scores by 18%
The petroleum sector’s investment in leadership development programs increased by 15% in 2022
Employee turnover costs for the oil and gas industry are estimated to be 1.5 billion USD annually
The number of organizations implementing mental health days as part of HR policies increased by 40% since 2020
Companies investing in leadership training reported a 14% higher employee productivity rate
The sector’s annual spend on employee well-being programs represents approximately 3% of total HR budget
The average cost per hire in the petroleum industry is estimated at $4,200, higher than many other sectors
Occupational health programs in oil and gas companies have reduced work-related injuries by 18% over five years
About 35% of HR budgets in the petroleum industry are spent on compliance and safety regulations, indicating the sector’s focus on safety
About 20% of offshore oil and gas companies now offer wellness programs tailored for remote and offshore workers
The average time to fill a managerial vacancy in oil and gas is 50 days, longer than the average for other industries
Recognition and reward programs implemented by oil companies have increased employee motivation scores by 22%
Around 65% of HR professionals report that their companies use competency-based interviews for technical roles
52% of oil and gas companies have increased their investment in employee health and safety training post-pandemic

Employment Trends and Company Practices Interpretation

Despite allocating over 15% of HR budgets to safety, wellness, and leadership development—totaling billions annually—the petroleum industry's persistent turnover cost of $1.5 billion reflects that even heavy investments can't fully sideline the irony that safety and training progress coexist with a 14% churn rate and prolonged vacancy durations, underscoring the sector’s ongoing balancing act between human capital and operational safety.

Gender and Age Statistics

The average age of employees in the oil and gas industry is 41 years

Gender and Age Statistics Interpretation

With an average age of 41, the oil and gas industry stands at a pivotal junction—balancing seasoned expertise with the pressing need to attract fresh talent to ensure its future hydrocarbons and innovations continue to flow.

Technological Adoption and Innovation

HR departments in the petroleum sector report a 30% increase in the use of AI and automation tools for recruitment over the last three years
Employee safety training completion rates increased by 25% after implementing e-learning modules in oil and gas companies
The use of predictive analytics in HR for oil companies has increased recruitment efficiency by 20%
Employee engagement scores in the petroleum industry improved by 10% after implementing HR digital transformation projects
Oil and gas companies utilize an average of three different HRIS (Human Resource Information Systems) per organization to manage employee data
HR departments in the petroleum industry report a 20% decrease in time-to-hire after adopting new talent acquisition technologies
HR departments report that 45% of their workforce planning involves upskilling existing employees
The petroleum industry is seeing a 25% rise in recruitment applications through mobile devices
The use of virtual reality tools for safety training in oil companies increased by 30% between 2021 and 2023
HR decision-making in oil companies increasingly relies on data analytics, with 60% of organizations integrating such tools into their processes
The sector’s adoption of automation in HR processes has led to a 25% reduction in administrative tasks, freeing HR teams for strategic planning
The implementation of AI-based chatbots in HR processes in oil companies has reduced screening time by 40%

Technological Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

As the petroleum industry accelerates its HR revolution through AI, e-learning, and data analytics, it's clear that even in a traditionally rugged sector, digital transformation is drilling down to make recruitment faster, safer, and smarter—proving that in oil and gas, innovation isn’t just about the bottom line, but also about building a more agile and engaged workforce.

Workforce Composition and Demographics

The petroleum industry employs approximately 2.5 million people globally
Women make up about 22% of the workforce in the oil and gas sector worldwide
Around 15% of HR professionals in the petroleum industry are dedicated specifically to workforce development
Oil and gas companies report a 12% higher retention rate when implementing robust HR development programs
Women in leadership roles in the petroleum industry account for approximately 12%
The average salary for HR managers in the oil and gas sector is around $85,000 annually
Oil and gas companies report that 55% of their new hires are recruited through online platforms and social media
The average annual training hours per employee in oil and gas sector is around 35 hours
About 58% of HR professionals in oil and gas cite talent attraction as their biggest challenge
The average tenure of HR professionals in the petroleum sector is approximately 4.5 years
Approximately 70% of oil and gas companies have an active diversity and inclusion policy
Oil and gas companies experience an average of 12% absenteeism rate, attributed mainly to health and safety issues
60% of HR professionals in the petroleum industry believe that automation will significantly change future workforce needs
The sector’s average age of workforce could increase to 43 years by 2030 without targeted recruitment
65% of the petroleum industry’s workforce has access to comprehensive health benefits, including mental health support
Oil and gas employers report that 50% of new hires feel unprepared for on-the-job safety requirements, emphasizing the need for better onboarding
48% of HR professionals in oil and gas cite retention as their biggest challenge, especially in technical roles
The average annual attrition rate among expatriate employees in the petroleum industry is 10%, often linked to relocation issues
The petroleum industry’s global gender representation in HR roles is approximately 24%, with notable increases in North America and Europe
The petroleum industry’s turnover among remote offshore workers is about 8%, which is below onshore sectors
The average age of HR professionals in the petroleum industry is 45 years, indicating a mature workforce with experience

Workforce Composition and Demographics Interpretation

While the petroleum industry employs 2.5 million globally and boasts a mature, well-compensated HR workforce with an average age of 45, its persistent gender gap—where women constitute only 12% in leadership—and reliance on online recruiting highlight both progress and the pressing need to accelerate diversity and workforce innovation amid evolving technological and safety challenges.