Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Wellhead Pumpers
SOC: 53-7073 O*NET: 53-7073.00
Median Salary
$69,960
per year
Job Growth
📉 -4.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
What does a Wellhead Pumpers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$44,100
10th percentile
Early Career
$52,330
25th percentile
Median
$69,960
50th percentile
Experienced
$82,200
75th percentile
Top Earners
$98,170
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$44,100
25th
$52,330
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$69,960
Mean: $70,370
75th
$82,200
90th
$98,170
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $54,070 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $52,330 and $82,200
- •Salary spread is 42.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 17,990 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:18,800
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction96.6%
Oil and Gas Extraction67.8%
Oil and Gas Extraction67.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-4.7%
Annual Openings:2,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)18,800
Current
2034 (Projected)17,900
-4.7%
-900
Employment Change
-4.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Wellhead Pumpers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 19 locations
Texas
10,250 jobs$75,8606.30x
North Dakota
1,540 jobs$79,82030.98x
New Mexico
1,060 jobs$78,01010.49x
Oklahoma
770 jobs$61,3803.90x
West Virginia
660 jobs$52,1708.17x
Pennsylvania
640 jobs$45,4900.91x
Kansas
620 jobs$62,4003.70x
Wyoming
490 jobs$57,20015.03x
Colorado
370 jobs$72,7001.11x
Ohio
250 jobs$46,7500.39x
Illinois
240 jobs$51,4400.34x
Michigan
210 jobs$47,6300.41x
California
160 jobs$64,4300.08x
Utah
130 jobs$59,9700.63x
Louisiana
110 jobs$76,9300.48x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Mechanical
100%
#3
Problem Sensitivity
100%
#4
Operation and Control
94%
#5
Near Vision
92%
#6
Repairing
86%
#7
Control Precision
82%
#8
Critical Thinking
80%
#9
Monitoring
74%
#10
Multilimb Coordination
74%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Mechanical
advanced5.0
100%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Near Vision
advanced4.6
92%
Repairing
intermediate4.3
86%
Control Precision
intermediate4.1
82%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
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
Mechanical
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Control Precision
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Multilimb Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Reaction Time
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics82%
5 shared skills
Continuous Mining Machine Operators82%
5 shared skills
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Motorcycle Mechanics82%
5 shared skills
Sailors and Marine Oilers82%
5 shared skills
Ship Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Mechanical
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Equipment Maintenance
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Repairing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mechanical
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Repairing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Problem Sensitivity
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 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 TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
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
OCCASIONAL
💡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)Operations & Execution (2)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Repair gas and oil meters and gauges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Unload and assemble pipes and pumping equipment, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Attach pumps and hoses to wellheads.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Supervise oil pumpers and other workers engaged in producing oil from wells.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% 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 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?
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 Wellhead Pumpers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.64
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.32
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.27
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.23
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.15
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.06
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Independence
4.1
Cooperation
4.0
Concern for Others
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Wellhead Pumpers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Wellhead Pumpers
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North Andover, MA
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