But the golden handcuffs, the measures employers take to keep workers onboard, are less about dollars and more about a sense of appreciation these days. Especially among younger generations, employees are more loyal when they feel they are being groomed for advancement, recruiters said. So many oil companies are building up their mentoring programs and streamlining their internal talent pipeline.

Murray Resources senior recruiter Mary Hudson said companies are rapidly moving to integrate their internal employee tracking systems across offices, making it easy for managers to find existing employees from Houston to Saudi Arabia with the training, skills and performance to fill job openings and take on new projects.

“They are trying hard to show development paths so employees can grow and rise in the organization. People don’t want to get into a position and sit and vegetate,” Hudson said.

“You have to offer a package to the person based on the areas that are important to them,” she added. “More money won’t keep somebody. You have to dig a little deeper.”