Career comparison
Pump Operator vs. Roustabout
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Pump operators earn more at the median ($61,770 vs. $46,960), while roustabouts usually get to work faster (1–3 months of training). Pump operators run pumps that move water, oil and other liquids. Roustabouts build, maintain and repair oil and gas sites and equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Pump Operator | Roustabout | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,770 ($29.70/hr) | $46,960 ($22.58/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,420 – $91,820 | $36,420 – $64,530 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.3% (about as fast as average) | +3.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,000 | 4,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | Months on the job | 1–3 months |
| Key credential | SafeLand | SafeLand USA |
| Work setting | Operators work outdoors at well sites, terminals and plants.. | Roustabouts work outdoors at well sites, tank batteries and yards, often in remote areas and harsh weather.. |
What each job does
Pump Operator
- Run pumps
- Gauge tanks
- Check wells
- Do basic maintenance
- Monitor flow
Roustabout
- Assemble and repair oilfield equipment
- Lay and repair pipelines
- Dig and backfill trenches
- Clean tanks and equipment
- Load and unload materials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and working outdoors. Both are part of the energy & utilities field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose pump operator if…
- I like working alone
- I like outdoor work
- I like machines
Choose roustabout if…
- I want to start without experience
- I don’t mind hard physical work
- I like working outdoors
Still torn? Take the Pump Operator fit quiz and the Roustabout fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, pump operator or roustabout?
Pump Operators earn more at the median: $61,770 versus $46,960 for roustabouts, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Roustabouts typically train faster (1–3 months) than pump operators (Months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects pump operators to grow +4.3% from 2025–35, compared with +3.6% for roustabouts.