Transportation & Logistics
Wellhead Pumpers
Also called: Field Operator, Lease Attendant, Lease Operator, Oilfield Plant Operator
US median pay
$69,960
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-2%
declining
Openings a year (US)
1,700
18,400 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
- Change water filters.
- Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring4.0/5
- Operation and Control3.9/5
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
- Repairing3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Time Management2.8/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical3.7/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Administrative2.9/5
- Chemistry2.8/5
- Production and Processing2.8/5
- English Language2.7/5
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, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma80%
- Post-secondary certificate11%
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.