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Wellhead Pumpers in New Mexico
Thinking about a career as a Wellhead Pumpers in New Mexico? Below are the key facts. Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
What do Wellhead Pumpers Make in New Mexico?
For a wellhead pumpers working in New Mexico, wages run about $68,220 per year (or roughly $32.80/hour).Pay can range from $38,160 at the 10th percentile to $121,880 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,160 | $18.34 |
| 25th percentile | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Median (50th) | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| 75th percentile | $86,160 | $41.42 |
| 90th percentile | $121,880 | $58.59 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in New Mexico nationwide is 13.62, meaning that wellhead pumpers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, wellhead pumpers earn a median of $43,101 per year ($20.72/hour), above the New Mexico median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 770,074 wellhead pumpers nationwide. In New Mexico alone, approximately 1,320 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 330 wellhead pumpers.
Top New Mexico Metros for Wellhead Pumpers
The largest metro-area employers of wellhead pumpers in New Mexico.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | 80 | $59,510 |
Top States for Wellhead Pumpers Employment
View the states that employ the most wellhead pumpers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 9,910 |
| New Mexico | 1,320 |
| North Dakota | 910 |
| West Virginia | 730 |
| Pennsylvania | 590 |
| Kansas | 520 |
| Oklahoma | 440 |
| Wyoming | 410 |
| Colorado | 380 |
| Illinois | 330 |
| Ohio | 300 |
| California | 190 |
| Michigan | 190 |
| Utah | 180 |
| Louisiana | 180 |
| Montana | 130 |
| Arkansas | 110 |
| Kentucky | 110 |
| New York | 50 |
Highest-Paying States for Wellhead Pumpers
The highest-paying states for wellhead pumpers.
| 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 |
Skills
Top wellhead pumpers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for wellhead pumpers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, wellhead pumpers typically:
- 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.
- Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
- Change water filters.
- Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
- Attach pumps and hoses to wellheads.
- Mix acids, chemicals, or dry cement as required for a specific job.
Work Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Other careers like wellhead pumpers include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Also Known As
Field Operator, Gas Lease Pumper, Gas Well Pumper, Lease Attendant, Lease Operator, Oil Field Operator, Oil Field Plant Operator, Oil Field Pumper, Oil Field Technician, Oil Field Worker, Oil Pumper, Oil Well Pumper, Oil Well Service Operator, Oilfield Plant Operator, Pumper.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-7073.00