What is a Wellhead Pumper?
Position Description Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Life As a Wellhead Pumper
- Unload and assemble pipes and pumping equipment, using hand tools.
- Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
- Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
- Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
- Attach pumps and hoses to wellheads.
- Supervise oil pumpers and other workers engaged in producing oil from wells.
Featured schools near , edit
Wellhead Pumper Needed Skills
These are the skills Wellhead Pumpers say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Other Wellhead Pumper Job Titles
- Wellhead Pumper
- Oil and Gas Lease Pumper
- Operations Technician
- Head Pumper
- Oil Well Service Operator
What Kind of Wellhead Pumper Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 11,500 jobs in the United States for Wellhead Pumper. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 21.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,500 new jobs for Wellhead Pumper by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,800 positions for Wellhead Pumper per year.

The states with the most job growth for Wellhead Pumper are North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Montana, or Michigan. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Wellhead Pumper Make?
The salary for Wellhead Pumpers ranges between about $31,280 and $79,930 a year.

Wellhead Pumpers who work in Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Wellhead Pumpers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Arkansas | $57,940 |
California | $47,940 |
Colorado | $69,130 |
Illinois | $33,730 |
Kansas | $47,390 |
Kentucky | $62,670 |
Louisiana | $47,300 |
Michigan | $50,590 |
Mississippi | $58,480 |
Montana | $61,020 |
New Mexico | $55,210 |
North Dakota | $59,030 |
Ohio | $39,860 |
Oklahoma | $51,900 |
Pennsylvania | $42,300 |
Texas | $54,690 |
Utah | $60,010 |
West Virginia | $42,230 |
Wyoming | $63,120 |
What Tools & Technology do Wellhead Pumpers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Wellhead Pumpers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- SAP software
How do I Become a Wellhead Pumper?
Education needed to be a Wellhead Pumper:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Wellhead Pumpers Sector

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

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Wellhead Pumper might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |