Wellhead Pumpers
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Also called: Field Operator, Gas Lease Pumper, Gas Well Pumper, Lease Attendant, Lease Operator, Oil Field Operator
Median pay
$69,960
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$44,100 – $98,170
People employed
17,990
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 with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Wellhead Pumpers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (19 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What wellhead pumpers do
- 01Monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.
- 02Gauge oil and gas production.
- 03Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
- 04Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
- 05Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
- 06Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Administrative
- Chemistry
- Production and Processing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- 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 1 month, up to and including 3 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 wellhead pumpers
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers91% · +38%
- Power Plant Operators89% · +46%
- Gas Plant Operators89% · +26%
- Biomass Plant Technicians85% · group pay
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators84% · +12%
Change into wellhead pumpers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas86% · $58,620
- Biomass Plant Technicians85% · $102,040
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas84% · $67,890
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians83% · $102,040
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas83% · $58,160