Wellhead Pumpers

What the job really is

Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.

At a glance

• Sector: Transportation & Material Moving
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-7073
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Attach pumps and hoses to wellheads.
• Mix acids, chemicals, or dry cement as required for a specific job.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Air compressors, All terrain vehicles ATV, Beam gas compressors, Chemical injection pumps, Circulating pumps, Combination wrenches, Crescent wrenches

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
• Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
• Gas Plant Operators
• Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
• Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
• Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
• Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
• Power Plant Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Wellhead Pumpers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.