What is a Pump Operator?

Career Description 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.

A Day in the Life of a Pump Operator

• Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.
• Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
• Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.
• Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.
• Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.
• Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.

What a Pump Operator Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Pump Operators say are important on the job.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Other Pump Operator Job Titles

• Pump Kill Operator
• Grease and Tallow Pumper
• Pump Station Operator
• Process Operator
• Booster Station Operator

Are There Job Opportunities for Pump Operators?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 11,900 jobs in the United States for Pump Operator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,600 new jobs for Pump Operator by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,700 positions for Pump Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Pump Operator are North Dakota, Idaho, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, North Carolina, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Pump Operators Salary

The typical yearly salary for Pump Operators is somewhere between $28,930 and $73,010.

Pump Operators who work in Indiana, California, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Pump Operators in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$54,960
Alaska	$52,990
Arizona	$51,260
California	$54,750
Colorado	$46,580
Florida	$43,530
Georgia	$45,010
Illinois	$53,050
Indiana	$55,230
Kansas	$37,260
Kentucky	$47,260
Louisiana	$50,270
Michigan	$47,440
Minnesota	$50,350
Mississippi	$40,590
Missouri	$38,160
Montana	$50,950
Nebraska	$33,470
New Hampshire	$50,410
New Jersey	$47,230
North Dakota	$45,540
Ohio	$42,550
Oklahoma	$46,510
Oregon	$48,950
Pennsylvania	$42,370
Texas	$44,230
Utah	$53,060
Washington	$45,670
West Virginia	$50,010

What Tools & Technology do Pump Operators Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pump Operators:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Data entry software
• Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
• Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

How to Become a Pump Operator

What education is needed to be a Pump Operator?

How many years of work experience do I need?

You May Also Be Interested In…

Career changers with experience as a Pump Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Power Plant Operators
• Highway Maintenance Workers

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.