Jobs Similar to Pump Operators
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to pump operators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers and Gas Plant Operators.
Pump Operators: $61,770 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
83% similar · $77,320 (+25%) · High school · Same group
- 2Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
83% similar · $96,710 (+57%) · High school
- 3Gas Plant Operators
83% similar · $87,820 (+42%) · High school
- 4Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
82% similar · $46,350 (−25%) · High school
- 5Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
82% similar · $58,870 (−5%) · High school · Same group
- 6Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
82% similar · $54,430 (−12%) · High school
- 7Biomass Plant Technicians
81% similar · $102,040 (broader group) · High school
- 8Wellhead Pumpers
81% similar · $69,960 (+13%) · High school · Same group
- 9Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
81% similar · $46,460 (−25%) · High school
- 10Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
81% similar · $47,920 (−22%) · High school
- 11Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
81% similar · $52,800 (−15%) · High school
- 12Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
81% similar · $48,540 (−21%) · High school
- 13Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
80% similar · $58,040 (−6%) · High school
- 14Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $46,170 (−25%) · High school
- 15Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $46,330 (−25%) · High school
- 16Tire Builders
79% similar · $57,390 (−7%) · High school
- 17Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
79% similar · $48,250 (−22%) · High school
- 18Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
79% similar · $38,180 (−38%) · High school
- 19Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
79% similar · $43,220 (−30%) · High school
- 20Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $46,550 (−25%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than pump operators.
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for pump operators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where pump operators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (86)
- Biomass Plant Technicians (85)
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders (84)
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers (82)
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (82)
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (82)
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders (81)
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (81)
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (81)
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas (81)
Questions about jobs like pump operators
What jobs are most similar to pump operators?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators (83% similar), Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (83% similar), Gas Plant Operators (83% similar), Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers (82% similar) and Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders (82% similar).
Which jobs like pump operators pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers ($96,710, +57%; usually a high school diploma), Gas Plant Operators ($87,820, +42%; usually a high school diploma) and Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators ($77,320, +25%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with pump operators ($61,770). Without more preparation than pump operators usually need: Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers, Gas Plant Operators and Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.