Occupation · SOC 51-8093
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
Median wage
$97,540
$59,790–$112,920
Projected growth
-2.6%
Declining
Annual openings
-100
per year
Employed (US)
34,860
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningActive LearningTroubleshootingSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisLearning StrategiesEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationSystems AnalysisRepairingMathematicsInstructingSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment SelectionService OrientationNegotiationPersuasionScienceProgrammingOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignInstallation
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalAdministration and ManagementMathematicsEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsChemistryEducation and TrainingEngineering and TechnologyLaw and GovernmentTransportationCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyAdministrativeDesignTelecommunicationsPersonnel and Human ResourcesBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsEconomics and AccountingBiologySales and MarketingGeographySociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Email softwareInventory tracking softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordProgrammable logic controller PLC softwareSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsDocumenting/Recording InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProcessing InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsWorking with ComputersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentThinking CreativelyAssisting and Caring for OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Process indicators and gauges — read and record under direct supervisor guidance during routine refinery operations.Pump startup procedures — follow written protocols to initiate basic pump operations on an active pipeline unit.Radio and telephone communication — use to relay valve and pump status to co-workers under close supervision at a petroleum facility.Equipment malfunctions and unusual readings — recognize and report promptly to a supervisor during monitored shift work.Valve open-and-close sequences — perform in the correct order by following step-by-step written instructions on a tank farm unit.Oil storage tank levels — patrol and visually check amounts using standard gauging methods while accompanied by an experienced operator.Safety and compliance rules — identify and apply basic regulations during daily walkaround inspections of refinery units.Meter function and product routing — verify that incoming product is passing through the designated meter under direct operator oversight.Process schedules and log sheets — read and interpret to determine assigned flow rates during a supervised production shift.Basic hand tools and test instruments — identify and use safely to assist in minor equipment maintenance tasks at a refinery site.
developing
Control panel variables such as temperature and pressure — adjust routinely to meet process schedules during an unassisted production shift.Pump and valve sequences for product transfer — coordinate independently using knowledge of pipeline interconnections on a mid-sized tank farm.Process gauges, meters, and instruments — monitor continuously and interpret trends to anticipate minor operational deviations during a full shift.Equipment deficiencies and wear — document accurately and report to maintenance scheduling systems using inventory management software.Radio communications with field operators — initiate and manage clearly to synchronize valve operations across multiple pipeline segments.Oil flow rates and product movement plans — execute according to established schedules, adjusting for familiar capacity constraints in the distribution system.Meter accuracy and product routing assignments — verify at shift start and end, logging results in spreadsheet software for record-keeping.Minor pump and valve repairs — perform using standard mechanical procedures when authorized, reducing unplanned downtime on the unit.Shift logs and operational reports — compose accurately in word processing software to document process conditions and regulatory compliance activities.Time-sensitive process changes — prioritize and sequence tasks efficiently to maintain safe throughput during high-demand refinery operations.
proficient
Full-shift control panel operations — manage autonomously to regulate temperature, pressure, and flow rate across complex refinery process units.Non-routine equipment problems and process upsets — diagnose using deductive reasoning and resolve safely without waiting for supervisory direction.Product movement plans through interconnected pipeline and storage systems — develop independently using detailed knowledge of system capacities and configurations.Compliance patrols of refinery storage and processing units — conduct thoroughly, identifying safety hazards and regulatory deviations before they escalate.Multi-variable process data from gauges, meters, and industrial control software — analyze to detect emerging inefficiencies and adjust operations proactively.Cross-functional communication with maintenance, logistics, and safety teams — lead clearly to coordinate scheduled and unscheduled operational changes.Meter calibration discrepancies and product routing errors — investigate root causes and implement corrective actions using systematic troubleshooting methods.Emergency response procedures during pipeline or tank incidents — apply confidently, directing immediate operational responses to protect personnel and equipment.Operational data and trend reports — interpret and present accurately to supervisors using spreadsheet and word processing tools to support decision-making.Active learning from new process technologies and regulatory updates — integrate into daily practice to maintain current competency across all unit operations.
advanced
Refinery unit operational standards and best practices — establish and enforce across all shifts to ensure consistent safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.Operator training programs and on-the-job coaching — design and deliver to develop emerging and developing technicians toward independent proficiency.System-wide product movement and pipeline capacity strategies — plan and optimize across processing, storage, and shipping units for maximum throughput.Organizational safety culture and compliance framework — champion and model at the facility level, influencing behaviors across all production personnel.Control panel and field operations improvement initiatives — lead by evaluating industrial control software upgrades and recommending process automation enhancements.Cross-departmental coordination with engineering, maintenance, and management — direct to align operational schedules with plant-wide production and business objectives.Incident investigation and root-cause analysis for equipment failures and process upsets — lead formally, producing written findings and actionable corrective-action plans.Regulatory reporting and audit preparation for environmental and safety agencies — oversee at the facility level, ensuring documentation accuracy and submission timeliness.Performance metrics for pump, valve, and metering operations — define, track using inventory and spreadsheet systems, and use to drive measurable operational improvements.Knowledge-sharing sessions and procedural updates — facilitate regularly so that workforce competency and process documentation keep pace with evolving refinery technology.
Also known as
46 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Absorption Plant OperatorBoard OperatorControl Board OperatorControl OperatorControl Panel OperatorControl Panel Technician (Control Panel Tech)Crude Unit OperatorDock OperatorField GaugerFuel Distribution System OperatorGas House Technician (Gas House Tech)Gasoline Plant OperatorGaugerHydrotreater OperatorHydrovac OperatorIn-House Technician (In-House Tech)Offshore Production WorkerOil GaugerOil Pipeline DispatcherOil Pipeline OperatorOil PumperOil RefinerOperatorOutside OperatorPanel OperatorPetrol Production GaugerPetroleum Plant OperatorPetroleum Refinery Control Panel OperatorPetroleum Refinery OperatorPetroleum Refinery WorkerPetroleum Refining Equipment OperatorPetroleum Supply SpecialistPilot Plant OperatorPipeline Operations TechnicianPlant OperatorPressure ControllerProcess OperatorPumperRefinerRefinery Operator