With an average wage of $US164,000 ($A153,118), oilies from Australia were pushed into second spot by Norway, where oil and gas workers are paid an average of $180,300, however the most lucrative positions are being offered in Papua New Guinea which pays its imported workers an average of $189,000.

Based on over 14,000 respondents worldwide, the latest guide from Hays Oil & Gas and Oil and Gas Job Search painted a picture of brimming optimism in stark contrast to the wider economic picture.

Employer confidence jumped, with 26.7% extremely positive about the current economic outlook, up from just 9.7% in 2011.

Three quarters of all employers expect staffing levels to increase in the next 12 months.

According to Hays managing director Matt Underhill, with confidence comes cash for workers.

"This level of confidence has far surpassed that which we have seen over the last few years, and contrasts significantly with the wider economic outlook," he said.

"With confidence comes salary increases and this is reflected with an increase in the average worldwide salary for professionals and skilled employees in the industry to US$80,458 per annum (equivalent) up 6.1% in the past 12 months."

The guide also found that there was a distinct move to add more full-time workers onto the roster instead of bringing on contractors, and while this doesn't mean contractor demand is falling, it demonstrates the eagerness of operators to shore up their workforces amongst a skills crunch.

"These positive developments are not to say the industry is without its concerns. Skills shortages have become the most significant of these, and economic and political instability also remain prominent," Underhill said.

"The guide also highlights demographic issues particularly in the US and other developed economies. Nevertheless, the salary guide points to an industry full of confidence and opportunity as we progress through 2012."

You can find a copy of the guide here.