Production
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Also called: Board Operator, Crude Unit Operator, Gauger, Hydrotreater Operator
US median pay
$96,710
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-1.9%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,700
32,900 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
What they do day to day
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
- Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations.
- Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.
- Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.
- Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring4.0/5
- Operation and Control3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Troubleshooting2.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.9/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing3.6/5
- Public Safety and Security3.6/5
- Mechanical3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- English Language3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma97%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.