Occupation · SOC 53-7073
Wellhead Pumpers
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Median wage
$70,010
$39,110–$97,470
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
17,350
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingEquipment MaintenanceCritical ThinkingSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningTime ManagementReading ComprehensionWritingSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisActive LearningMathematicsEquipment SelectionCoordinationManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationService OrientationLearning StrategiesManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallationScience
Knowledge areas
MechanicalMathematicsAdministrativeChemistryProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementDesignPersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentBuilding and ConstructionEducation and TrainingPhysicsEngineering and TechnologyTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceBiologyMedicine and DentistryTelecommunicationsPsychologyGeographyEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordMoxa softwareOperational databasesSAP softwareSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsDocumenting/Recording InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationWorking with ComputersTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeScheduling Work and ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCoaching and Developing OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Pump and flow-line leaks — identify and report under direct supervision at an active wellhead site.Oil and gas production gauges — read and record basic measurements with guidance from a senior pumper.Compressor engine startup procedures — follow written checklists under direct supervision during initial field rotations.Control panel indicators — observe and note pressure, density, and flow-rate readings while shadowing experienced operators.Well shut-off valves — operate according to step-by-step production schedule instructions under direct oversight.Basic hand tools and wrenches — use to assist in meter and gauge removal under supervision on a lease site.Routine vehicle fluid levels and filters — inspect and document as part of a supervised preventive maintenance checklist.Safety and environmental protocols — follow when handling oil and gas materials at a producing wellhead.Spreadsheet and work-order software — enter daily production data with guidance from a site supervisor.Near-vision inspection of fittings and seals — perform to spot visible wear or corrosion during assigned walkaround rounds.
developing
Flow-line and pump integrity — monitor independently during assigned shifts and log anomalies in a field production system.Daily oil and gas production volumes — gauge, calculate, and record accurately using standard measurement tools on a multi-well lease.Compressor units and auxiliary equipment — start up and divert oil flow with minimal oversight following established operating procedures.Control panel parameters — adjust pumping pressure, rate, and concentration within acceptable ranges to maintain steady production.Well production schedules — execute switch-overs of oil flow into storage tanks and shut in wells on time with reduced supervision.Gas and oil meters and simple gauge components — repair and recalibrate using basic mechanical skills in the field.Preventive maintenance tasks on pumps and vehicles — complete on schedule, documenting findings in a maintenance log or ERP system.Troubleshooting routine equipment faults — diagnose common causes of pressure loss or flow irregularities and apply standard corrective actions.Verbal shift handover reports — communicate clearly to oncoming crews about production status and outstanding issues at the wellsite.Field mathematics for volume and rate calculations — apply to verify gauge readings and confirm production targets are being met.
proficient
Gas and fluid leak patterns — detect, trace root cause, and coordinate timely repairs autonomously across a multi-well lease.Oil and gas production data — gauge, analyze trends, and adjust operations proactively to optimize output within regulatory limits.Compressor and auxiliary equipment systems — operate and troubleshoot non-routine startup and shutdown scenarios without supervisory input.Control panel performance deviations — evaluate and resolve complex pressure, density, and rate anomalies during unplanned operational events.Well production scheduling and tank-battery management — manage independently, balancing storage capacity and pipeline delivery commitments.Gas and oil meters, gauges, and associated instrumentation — overhaul, calibrate, and verify accuracy using diagnostic tools on a producing lease.Vehicle and equipment maintenance programs — plan and execute comprehensive schedules, sourcing parts and coordinating downtime with minimal disruption.Complex field problems such as sand-cut equipment or hydrate formation — diagnose using inductive and deductive reasoning and implement effective solutions.Production databases and ERP software — generate accurate reports and use data to support operational decisions and regulatory filings.Critical judgment in safety-sensitive situations — exercise independent decision-making to shut in wells or evacuate when abnormal conditions arise.
advanced
Lease-wide production integrity standards — establish and enforce inspection protocols that reduce leak incidents and regulatory violations across all wellheads.Production measurement systems — design calibration schedules and accuracy benchmarks that set the quality standard for an entire operating district.Compressor and artificial-lift strategies — evaluate and recommend system configurations that improve gas recovery rates and reduce operating costs at scale.Operational control guidelines — author standing operating procedures governing pressure management, density limits, and rate targets for a field team.Well scheduling and tank-battery optimization plans — develop and oversee execution across multiple leases to meet company production and delivery targets.Meter and instrumentation reliability programs — lead the implementation of maintenance-centered reliability practices that extend equipment service life field-wide.Equipment maintenance and reliability culture — mentor junior and developing pumpers, standardizing best practices and reducing unplanned downtime across the operation.Complex troubleshooting methodologies — coach field teams through systematic root-cause analysis of recurring equipment failures and drive permanent corrective actions.Technology adoption for field data capture — champion the rollout of industrial control and ERP software tools, training staff and validating data integrity.Organizational safety and environmental performance — lead incident reviews, update risk-management procedures, and represent the field operation to regulatory bodies.
Also known as
19 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Field OperatorGas Lease PumperGas Well PumperLease AttendantLease OperatorOil Field OperatorOil Field Plant OperatorOil Field PumperOil Field TechnicianOil Field WorkerOil PumperOil Well PumperOil Well Service OperatorOilfield Plant OperatorPumperWell Field TechnicianWell Head PumperWell TenderWellhead Pumper