Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Pump Operator

Find Schools Near

What Does it Take to Be a Pump Operator?

Pump Operator Definition 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.

List of Pump Operator Job Duties

  • Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
  • Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.
  • Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.
  • Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers.
  • Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
  • Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis.

What a Pump Operator Should Know

Pump 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.

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

  • Product Transfer Pumper
  • Pipeline Dispatch Operator
  • Grease and Tallow Pumper
  • Exhauster Engineer
  • Fluid Pump Operator

What Kind of Pump Operator Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 11,900 jobs for Pump Operator in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,700 job openings in this field each year.

undefined

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 salary for Pump Operators ranges between about $28,930 and $73,010 a year.

undefined

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

How much do Pump Operators make in each U.S. state?

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Pump Operators

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

  • 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 kind of Pump Operator requirements are there?

undefined

How Long Does it Take to Become a Pump Operator?

undefined

Where do Pump Operators Work?

undefined

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

undefined

You May Also Be Interested In…

Are you already one of the many Pump Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

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.