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Wellhead Pumpers: Job Description
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
The Daily Work of Wellhead Pumpers Perform?
The core tasks performed by wellhead pumpers cover:
- Monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.
- Gauge oil and gas production.
- Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
- Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
- Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
- Repair gas and oil meters and gauges.
- Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective wellhead pumpers rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Other Wellhead Pumpers Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Field Operator
- Gas Lease Pumper
- Gas Well Pumper
- Lease Attendant
- Lease Operator
- Oil Field Operator
- Oil Field Plant Operator
- Oil Field Pumper
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 770,074 wellhead pumpers working in the United States today. Employment is projected to decline by -4.0% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Wellhead Pumpers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $43,101 |
| Hourly median | $20.72 |
| 10th percentile | $29,646 |
| 25th percentile | $36,374 |
| 75th percentile | $49,829 |
| 90th percentile | $56,557 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $83,450 |
| Arkansas | $80,930 |
| Wyoming | $77,790 |
| Louisiana | $75,690 |
| Texas | $75,590 |
| New Mexico | $68,220 |
| Utah | $66,890 |
| Oklahoma | $63,790 |
| Montana | $61,780 |
| Colorado | $61,170 |
| Ohio | $60,730 |
| Kansas | $60,560 |
| California | $60,220 |
| Illinois | $59,580 |
| Michigan | $55,090 |
| Mississippi | $51,660 |
| West Virginia | $48,780 |
| New York | $44,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,550 |
| Kentucky | $36,860 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for wellhead pumpers differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains States | $75,126 | 8.4% | 13.32 |
| Southwest | $74,311 | 68.7% | 7.03 |
| Rocky Mountains | $68,372 | 6.5% | 5.74 |
| Far Western US | $60,220 | 1.1% | 0.09 |
| Great Lakes | $58,960 | 4.8% | 0.46 |
| Southeast | $55,035 | 6.7% | 6.26 |
| Middle Atlantic | $39,027 | 3.8% | 0.81 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | TX | $79,640 | 1,470 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | TX | $78,290 | 3,940 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $78,230 | 920 |
| Casper, WY | WY | $77,260 | 100 |
| San Angelo, TX | TX | $73,370 | 90 |
| Tyler, TX | TX | $69,340 | 80 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | TX | $66,670 | 110 |
| Columbus, OH | OH | $65,860 |
Top Industries Employing Wellhead Pumpers
The bulk of wellhead pumpers are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 16,730 | $70,010 |
| Utilities | 130 | $64,440 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 80 | $98,920 |
Below are examples of industries where wellhead pumpers work:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of wellhead pumpers reflects the following characteristics:
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Telephone Conversations
Education and Training
Most wellhead pumpers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Geothermal Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Petroleum Engineers (Supplemental)
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas (Supplemental)
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas (Primary-Short)
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas (Primary-Long)
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas (Supplemental)
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas (Primary-Short)
- Geothermal Technicians (Supplemental)
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 53-7073.00 (Wellhead Pumpers).
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