Pumpjack Operator
Impact: Resource extraction and infrastructure maintenance
Operate and maintain pumping systems to transfer liquids such as oil, gas, and slurries, ensuring efficient and safe product movement within industrial settings.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Minimal
- Team vs solo
- 60% Solo / 40% Team
- Client facing
- Never
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $62,000
- Entry-level
- $40,000 - $50,000
- Senior
- $75,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 2% (slower than average)
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Very Low
- Salary growth potential
- Moderate to 50-70% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- Minimal
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Equipment Operation
- Preventative Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Fluid Dynamics
- Safety Protocols
Soft skills
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving
- Safety Consciousness
- Mechanical Aptitude
Technical complexity: Moderate
How to get there
- Minimum education
- High School Diploma
- Licensing
- Varies by State
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 7-10 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Operator Trainee
- Pumpjack Operator
- Senior Pumpjack Operator
- Field Supervisor
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 40% to moderate risk due to increasing automation in monitoring and control systems
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3/10
- Meaning
- 2.8/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.2/10
- Prestige
- 4.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate