Going into the oil fields. 1099 or w2?

Depends.
Are you an employee? Then W2
Are you a self employed contractor? Then 1099.

There really is no other (legal) option.

 

There is no legal option.
Let me ask you this. Are you comfortable with the very first thing they ask is to break the law? How long until they want you to break other laws like hos, equipment, and for that matter the pesky law that requires them to pay you?

If you are an employee, you must be paid as w2, there can be no option.

 

Find out what the w2 companies are paying and then figure out if the 1099 companies are paying enough above and beyond that for you to pocket more money after taking on 100% of the tax burden and buying occupational accident insurance on yourself.

 

You're not getting it. 1099 is not an employee tax schedule. If you don't own the equipment you're an employee almost 100% of the time. Do you want to take on 100% of the taxes with 0% of the tax write-offs?

 

You have your mind made up you want to work for an outfit running illegally. Why did you even ask the question?

 

If you are dead set on going 1099 then it should pay somewhere in the neighborhood of 25% more than their W-2 rate.