A tool pusher is an occupation within the oil drilling industry.

On a land drilling rig

Drilling rig

A drilling rig is a machine which creates holes or shafts in the ground. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to drill water wells, oil wells, or natural gas extraction wells, or they can be small enough to be moved manually by one person...

 the tool pusher may be rig manager and responsible for all operations, but on drillship

Drillship

A drillship is a maritime vessel that has been fitted with drilling apparatus. It is most often used for exploratory offshore drilling of new oil or gas wells in deep water or for scientific drilling. The drillship can also be used as a platform to carry out well maintenance or completion work such...

s and offshore oil rigs, toolpushers are department heads in charge of the drilling department and reporting to the Master

Captain (nautical)

A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...

 or Offshore Installation Manager (OIM

OIM (offshore installation manager)

The Offshore Installation Manager is the most senior manager of an offshore platform operating on the UKCS.Many offshore operators have adopted this UK offshore management model and title and applied it to their operations in all global regions irrespective of the local regulations in force.In the...

) depending on the company - who in turn report to a shore-based rig manager. Other department heads include the Chief Mate

Chief Mate

A Chief Mate or Chief Officer, usually also synonymous with the First Mate or First Officer , is a licensed member and head of the deck department of a merchant ship...

 and Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

In marine transportation, the chief engineer is a licensed mariner in charge of the engineering department on a merchant vessel. "Chief engineer" is the official title of someone qualified to oversee the entire engine department; the qualification is colloquially called a "chief's...

.

Tool pushers are in charge of keeping the rig in all necessary tools, equipment, and supplies. They work closely in conjunction with the representative of the operating/exploration company (i.e., company man

Company man

A company man in the petroleum industry refers to a representative of an operating/exploration company. Other terms that may be used are company representative, foreman, drilling engineer, company consultant, rigsite leader or "well site manager".In a normal scenario, gas/oil-drilling companies...

) in regard to the actual drilling of the well. In recent times, toolpushers also have taken on somewhat of an administrative role, as they frequently do paperwork related to the rig crew regarding payroll, benefits, and related matters. Toolpushers are also responsible for coordinating services with third party companies related to the drilling of the well.

Tool pushers usually start at an entry level position (i.e., a roustabout

Roustabout

A roustabout is a labourer typically performing temporary, unskilled work. The term has traditionally been used to refer to traveling-circus workers, natural gas, or oil rig workers....

 or roughneck

Roughneck

Roughneck is a slang term for a person whose occupation is hard-manual labour, typically in a dangerous working environment. The term applies across a number of industries, but is most commonly associated with oil rigs...

) and work their way up over many years.