Career Overview
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Also Known As
- Field Operator
- Lease Operator
- Pumper
- Well Tender
Alternate Job Titles
- 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
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Conduct regular inspections of equipment using drones or other advanced technology.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
- Reaction Time
- Multilimb Coordination
- Control Precision
- Perceptual Speed
- Static Strength
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Air compressors
- All terrain vehicles ATV
- Beam gas compressors
- Chemical injection pumps
- Circulating pumps
- Combination wrenches
- Crescent wrenches
- Dead weight testers
- Diesel engines
- Digital calipers
- Digital depth gauges
- Digital multimeters
- Downhole jet pumps
- Echometers
- Electric downhole pumps
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Contaminants
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $39,110 |
| Median | $70,010 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $97,470 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 17,350
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $97,540
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $60,020
Gas Plant Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $83,400
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $65,010
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $47,510
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.