Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
SOC Code: 53-7072
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers carries a 35% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $60,020 and +2.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 13,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (SOC 53-7072) carries an AI exposure score of 35%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 13,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.6% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $60,020, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
- 2. Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
- 3. Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.
- 4. Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
- 5. Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
- 6. Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.
- 7. Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts.
- 8. Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.
- 9. Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.
- 10. Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers?
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers has an AI exposure score of 35%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers is projected to grow by 2.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 13,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers?
Key skills for Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers earn?
The median annual wage for Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers is $60,020, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers?
The typical entry-level education for Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers?
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).