Roustabout
Build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.
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Energy & Utilities career
Pump Operator
Also called: Pump System Operator · Pumper · Lease Operator · Wellhead Pumper
What pump operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a pump operator do?
Pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers, and wellhead pumpers operate pumps, valves and equipment that move liquids or gases. The median pay is $61,770 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +4.3% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$61,770$29.70/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.3%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainMonths on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs9,800Employment, 2025
What pump operators do
Pump operators keep fluids moving. They run pumps at oil wells, terminals, water systems and plants, gauge tanks, check equipment, do basic maintenance and keep production records.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Run pumps
- Gauge tanks
- Check wells
- Do basic maintenance
- Monitor flow
- Record production
- Report problems
Work environment and schedule
Operators work outdoors at well sites, terminals and plants.
Schedule: Full time, with on-call duty.
A day in the life
- Drive the route.
- Check the first well.
- Gauge tanks.
- Adjust a pump.
See a full day in the life of a pump operator →
Pump Operator salary
Half of pump operators earned more than $61,770 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,420 for the lowest 10% to $91,820 for the top 10%.
Full pump operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a pump operator
- Finish high school
- Get safety training
- Get hired as a pumper
- Learn the route
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a pump operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Pump operation
- Tank gauging
- Basic maintenance
- Production reporting
- Leak detection
People skills
- Reliability
- Independence
- Safety focus
- Problem-solving
All pump operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independent work
- Good pay
- Outdoor work
- Company truck in field roles
Cons
- Remote driving
- Weather
- On-call duty
- Industry cycles
Certifications and licenses
- SafeLand: Oil field safety.
- H2S training: Required in sour fields.
- Operator qualification: Pipelines.
- CDL: Helpful.
Career path
- Pumper Trainee: Entry.
- Pumper: Operate.
- Lead Pumper: Lead.
- Production Foreman: Supervise.
Learn the job before day one
Our Pump Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as gauge an oil tank and check a pump jack, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
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Water Treatment Plant Operator
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Control Valve Technician
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Compare: Pump Operator vs. Roustabout · Pump Operator vs. Gas Compressor Operator · Pump Operator vs. Water Operator · Pump Operator vs. Control Valve Technician
Pump Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the work independent?
Often, driving a route alone.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
How much does a pump operator make?
The median annual wage for pump operators was $61,770 ($29.70 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,420 and the highest 10% earned more than $91,820.
How long does it take to become a pump operator?
Most people need about Months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a pump operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More pump operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-7072 (Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.