Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
SOC: 53-7072 O*NET: 53-7072.00
Median Salary
$60,020
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
What does a Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,850
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,270
25th percentile
Median
$60,020
50th percentile
Experienced
$75,160
75th percentile
Top Earners
$89,660
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,850
25th
$47,270
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,020
Mean: $61,950
75th
$75,160
90th
$89,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $51,810 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,270 and $75,160
- •Salary spread is 46.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 12,600 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:13,100
Top Industries
Construction26.2%
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction20.7%
Specialty Trade Contractors18.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.6%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)13,100
Current
2034 (Projected)13,500
+2.6%
+300
Employment Change
+2.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 35 locations
Texas
4,280 jobs$58,6703.78x
Louisiana
1,510 jobs$60,8409.66x
California
1,270 jobs$51,3500.86x
Florida
760 jobs$60,3700.94x
Oregon
480 jobs$55,7603.01x
Pennsylvania
330 jobs$56,8000.66x
North Carolina
310 jobs$43,3900.78x
New Jersey
290 jobs$81,9000.85x
Wyoming
240 jobs$78,81010.33x
North Dakota
230 jobs$75,9606.78x
Virginia
210 jobs$65,7200.64x
Utah
200 jobs$73,8401.42x
New York
170 jobs$54,2800.22x
Alabama
170 jobs$51,5600.98x
Alaska
140 jobs$72,9905.44x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Operation and Control
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Troubleshooting
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Troubleshooting
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Crane and Tower Operators90%
5 shared skills
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer90%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers82%
5 shared skills
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Speaking
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination94% perform96%
4
Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development82% perform88%
8
Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Complete Work Styles Profile
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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