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.
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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.
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.
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?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pump Operator?
Where do Pump Operators Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
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References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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