Pump Operators
O*NET title: Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
Also called: Acid Loader, Acid Pump Operator, Airveyor Operator, Boom Pump Operator, Booster Station Operator, Brewery Pumper
Median pay
$61,770
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,420 – $91,820
People employed
9,780
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 6.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
Pump Operators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (37 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What pump operators do
- 01Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
- 02Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
- 03Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.
- 04Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
- 05Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
- 06Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from pump operators
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers93% · +57%
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders87% · −6%
- Gas Plant Operators87% · +42%
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators85% · −3%
- Biomass Plant Technicians85% · group pay
Change into pump operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders86% · $54,430
- Biomass Plant Technicians85% · $102,040
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders84% · $58,040
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers82% · $46,350
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners82% · $49,880