Swift compiled the data from its 250 contract positions throughout 30 locations in the industry, amounting to about 7500 jobs.

African regions such as Nigeria, Venezuela and Angola made the list for the first time, while the US failed to crack a mention.

According to the compiled data, a completion manager in Australia earns up to $3075 per day, followed closely by a drilling manager who earns up to $2942 and comes in at second highest.

Nigeria came in at third and fourth, with drilling managers receiving up to $2844 per day and project services directors earning about $2817 per day.

The Middle East also featured in the rich list, owing to the potentially dangerous areas into which companies are sending their employees.

"As a global staffing company, we're able to track shifts in the way jobs are compensated in different regions," Swift CEO Tobias Read said.

"High project workloads and a shortage of skilled talent have kept compensation high in Australia.

"Both Iraq and Nigeria have seen unprecedented growth in industry activity and workers there are compensated for the risks that come with working in the more dangerous areas, accounting for the increase in salary ranges.

"Salaries in the US are climbing but salaries in these emerging markets are climbing faster.

"Countries aren't the only things to change on the list this year. Certain job titles, like completion manager and drilling manager, are suddenly in demand and well-compensated due to increases in upstream and drilling activity around the world.

"Swift experts predict that as exploration becomes more competitive across major oil companies, skilled workers in these positions will be drawing even higher compensations."