What Does a Wellhead Pumper Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a wellhead pumper do?

Wellhead pumpers operate power-driven pumps and equipment that move oil, gas and water from wells, checking production, adjusting equipment and keeping records. The median pay is $69,960 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Under 5 years of experience, and employment is projected to grow -2.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$69,960
$33.63/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-2.0%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
1,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Under 5 years of experience
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
18,400
Employment, 2025

What wellhead pumpers do

Wellhead pumpers, often called lease operators, drive a route of wells every day. They check pumpjacks and wellheads, gauge tanks, test production, adjust chokes and timers, spot leaks, perform minor maintenance, coordinate trucks that haul oil and water, and report production.

Most pumpers have a high school diploma and a few years of oilfield experience, then train on the job. The work is independent, mostly outdoors and on the road. Employment is projected to decline slightly as automation spreads.

Typical duties

Check wells on a daily route
Gauge tanks and record production
Adjust pumps, chokes and timers
Inspect for leaks and spills
Perform minor maintenance
Coordinate haulers and service crews
Report production data

Work environment and schedule

Pumpers work outdoors at well sites and drive long distances, often alone in rural areas.

Schedule: Most work full-time, with weekend rotations and on-call duty.

A day in the life

6:00 AMCheck overnight alarms on the SCADA app.
6:30 AMDrive to the first lease.
7:00 AMCheck a pumpjack and adjust the timer.
9:00 AMGauge tanks and record levels.

See a full day in the life of a wellhead pumper →

Wellhead Pumper salary

Half of wellhead pumpers earned more than $69,960 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $44,100 for the lowest 10% to $98,170 for the top 10%.

$44,10010th$69,960Median$98,17090th

Full wellhead pumper pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a wellhead pumper

Get oilfield experience
Learn production equipment
Get safety training
Train on a route
Advance

A high school diploma and a few years of oilfield experience are typical, plus on-the-job training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a wellhead pumper →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Pump and wellhead operation
Tank gauging
Production reporting
Basic maintenance
Leak detection

People skills

Independence
Reliability
Attention to detail
Time management

All wellhead pumper skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Independent work
Good pay
Outdoors and on the road
Company truck often provided

Cons

Working alone in remote areas
Weather exposure
On-call duty
Employment projected to decline

Certifications and licenses

SafeLand USA: Oil and gas safety.
H2S Clear: Hydrogen sulfide safety.
Spill prevention training: Environmental compliance.
Defensive driving: Safe driving.

Career path

Roustabout: Learn the oilfield.
Pumper: Run a route.
Lead Pumper: Handle larger routes.
Production Foreman: Manage operations.

Learn the job before day one

Our Wellhead Pumper training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as gauge a tank safely and check a pumpjack, safety and how to land your first job.

View Wellhead Pumper training Is this career right for me?

Roustabout

Build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.

$46,960
1–3 months

Oilfield Service Operator

Run the equipment that completes, services and repairs oil and gas wells.

$58,160
1–2 years on the job

Gas Plant Operator

Run plants and compressor stations that process and move natural gas.

$87,820
1–2+ years on the job

Refinery Operator

Run the units that turn crude oil into fuels and products.

$96,710
6–18 months on the job

Compare: Wellhead Pumper vs. Roustabout · Wellhead Pumper vs. Oilfield Service Operator · Wellhead Pumper vs. Gas Plant Operator · Wellhead Pumper vs. Refinery Operator

Wellhead Pumper FAQ

What does a pumper do?

Checks and maintains wells on a daily route.

Do pumpers need experience?

Usually a few years in the oilfield.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects a slight decline due to automation.

How much does a wellhead pumper make?

The median annual wage for wellhead pumpers was $69,960 ($33.63 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,100 and the highest 10% earned more than $98,170.

How long does it take to become a wellhead pumper?

Most people need about Under 5 years of experience of training. A high school diploma and a few years of oilfield experience are typical, plus on-the-job training.

Do you need a degree to be a wellhead pumper?

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.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-7073 (Wellhead pumpers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for 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.

Wellhead Pumper