The oil and gas industry continues to grapple with both longstanding and emerging workforce challenges, but a “healthy level of optimism and opportunities for career development” remains, according to the 2025 Global Energy Talent Index (GETI).
The annual report, which surveys professionals across the upstream and downstream sectors, highlights several trends that have shaped the talent landscape over the past 5 years.
On a positive note, the report found that salaries are rebounding after the downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year marked a “turning point,” with more professionals receiving pay increases than those whose salaries remained flat. Half of respondents said they received a raise in the past year, and more than a quarter reported increases of over 5%.
However, the report also pointed to a shrinking share of younger professionals in the workforce. Just 24% of respondents were under 35, down from 27% in 2021, while the proportion of those aged 35 to 44 rose from 28 to 32%.
To help address the talent gap, employers are increasingly rehiring retirees to support complex projects. In some regions, economic pressures such as the rising cost of living may also be drawing retirees back into the workforce.
Interest in job switching, both within and outside of the energy sector, has remained stagnant since 2023. This year, only 14% of professionals stated they would not consider changing roles, while nearly two-thirds expressed interest in exploring positions within traditional energy.
In response to flagging interest from the younger generation, some in the industry are calling for ramped-up efforts to make petroleum engineering more attractive as a domain.
“Few young people aspire to be a petroleum engineer when roles in robotics and high tech, for example, are marketed and may be so much more compelling,” Margie Harris, former executive vice president and chief human resources and administrative officer at the natural gas liquefication company Tellurian, said.
The former executive and report coauthor continued, “Starting from high school, we should shine a brighter light on the technology innovations that make our sector just as interesting as others, such as unmanned drilling and drones, to help convince both students and their parents that the sector offers dynamic, fulfilling careers."
While engineering and technology continue to draw interest from younger talent worldwide, interest in renewable energy technologies has also surged, with over two-thirds of respondents expressing a preference for transitioning to renewable energy sectors. One way traditional energy companies have responded to this is through their public-facing initiatives to lower their carbon footprint and become safer overall.
Yet despite the pressures of the transition, traditional energy professionals remain optimistic, as they see the shift as an opportunity for career growth and technological advancements. There’s also a strong desire among workers to contribute to society and work on exciting projects.
“Although there have been significant consolidations over the past year, the demand for talent in the traditional energy industries remains robust,” said Harris. “Many firms continue to train and develop to broaden skillsets and expand employees’ core competencies, creating resilience and flexibility within their workforces.”
There’s also the prospect that momentum behind the energy transition could slow, a sentiment echoed by respondents who said they are already feeling the effects of political uncertainty.
“In the US, potential plans to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act have made project developers nervous to press ahead. In Australia, there has been a significant slowdown in energy transition investment commitments, particularly at the utility scale,” said Janette Marx, the CEO at Airswift an international workforce solutions provider for technology and engineering professionals that also helped author the report.
Another key trend shaping the energy industry is the growing focus on artificial intelligence (AI). As AI becomes more embedded across the sector, its global adoption continues to expand. Yet, while the technology's capabilities advance, professional enthusiasm appears to be cooling.
The percentage of professionals who believe their employers should adopt automation and digital tools declined by 4 points to 21% in 2025. At the same time, the perceived importance of energy transformation projects has grown, rising from 12 to 19%.
Two-thirds of professionals report that their organizations have taken steps to reduce operational emissions—an 11% increase from 2023. Notably, only 3% of professionals say their organization have increased emissions or fossil fuel investments, a 2% drop from last year.
When asked about their confidence in their organization’s ability to handle future changes, 71% of professionals reported feeling confident—an increase of 14% since 2021. To build greater resilience, professionals identified a need for enhanced training and a stronger focus on cost management.
