Life As a Petroleum Pump System Operator
Career Description 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.
Daily Life Of a Petroleum Pump System Operator
- Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
- Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.
- Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
- Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
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What a 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
- Dock Operator
- Fuel Distribution System Operator
- Refiner
- Pressure Controller
- Oil Pipeline Operator
Job Demand for Petroleum Pump System Operators
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. There will be an estimated 4,300 positions for Petroleum Pump System Operator per year.

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.
Do Petroleum Pump System Operators Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Petroleum Pump System Operators ranges between about $44,000 and $98,480 a year.

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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Petroleum Pump System Operators
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Petroleum Pump System Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Email software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Inventory tracking software
Becoming a Petroleum Pump System Operator
Education needed to be a Petroleum Pump System Operator:

What work experience do I need to become a Petroleum Pump System Operator?

Who Employs Petroleum Pump System Operators?

Petroleum Pump System Operators work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Are you already one of the many Petroleum Pump System Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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