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What You Need to Know About 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.
Life As a Pump Operator
- Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
- Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.
- Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.
- Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis.
- Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers.
- Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
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Pump Operator Required Skills
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.
Types of Pump Operator Jobs
- Production Recovery Operator
- Product Transfer Pumper
- Monitor Car Operator
- Pump Operator
- Chemical Pumper
Job Demand 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. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Pump Operator Average Salary
Pump Operators make between $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 |
What Tools do Pump Operators Use?
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 do I Become a Pump Operator?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Pump Operator?
What work experience do I need to become a Pump Operator?
Pump Operators Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Pump Operators employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Those who work as a Pump Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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