Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Petroleum Pump System Operator

Find Schools Near

What Does it Take to Be a Petroleum Pump System Operator?

Petroleum Pump System Operator Definition Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.

Life As a Petroleum Pump System Operator

  • Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers.
  • Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
  • Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.
  • Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
  • Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
  • Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.

What Every Petroleum Pump System Operator Should Know

Petroleum Pump System Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Other Petroleum Pump System Operator Job Titles

  • In-House Technician
  • Petroleum Refining Equipment Operator
  • Pilot Plant Operator
  • Crude Unit Operator
  • Pipeline Dispatcher

What Kind of Petroleum Pump System Operator Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 41,800 jobs for Petroleum Pump System Operator in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.9% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,200 new jobs for Petroleum Pump System Operator by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,300 yearly job openings in this field.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Petroleum Pump System Operator are Utah, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Missouri, California, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Petroleum Pump System Operator Make?

The average yearly salary of a Petroleum Pump System Operator ranges between $44,000 and $98,480.

undefined

Petroleum Pump System Operators who work in California, Illinois, or South Carolina, make the highest salaries.

How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $52,630
Alaska $78,810
Arizona $54,690
Arkansas $58,680
California $81,310
Colorado $77,390
Connecticut $57,140
Florida $50,840
Georgia $60,220
Illinois $79,260
Indiana $56,420
Iowa $67,420
Kansas $63,480
Kentucky $65,570
Louisiana $71,930
Maryland $48,890
Massachusetts $56,340
Michigan $59,700
Minnesota $61,720
Missouri $47,820
Montana $80,340
Nebraska $68,650
New Hampshire $63,840
New Mexico $69,090
New York $53,470
North Carolina $58,420
North Dakota $70,900
Ohio $69,250
Oklahoma $71,020
Oregon $73,580
Pennsylvania $59,430
South Carolina $73,460
South Dakota $54,280
Tennessee $48,820
Texas $72,610
Utah $65,300
Virginia $50,630
Washington $60,990
West Virginia $68,440
Wisconsin $62,390
Wyoming $74,270

What Tools do Petroleum Pump System Operators Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Petroleum Pump System Operators may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Email software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Inventory tracking software

How to Become a Petroleum Pump System Operator

Education needed to be a Petroleum Pump System Operator:

undefined

How Long Does it Take to Become a Petroleum Pump System Operator?

undefined

Who Employs Petroleum Pump System Operators?

undefined

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

undefined

Those who work as a Petroleum Pump System Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.