Service unit operators, oil and gas
SOC Code: 47-5013
Service unit operators, oil and gas carries a 39% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $57,980 and +0.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 45,200 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
Service unit operators, oil and gas (SOC 47-5013) carries an AI exposure score of 39%, 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 45,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +0.4% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $57,980, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus Less than 5 years 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 Service unit operators, oil and gas. 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. Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- 2. Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- 3. Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- 4. Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- 5. Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- 6. Direct drilling crews performing activities such as assembling and connecting pipe, applying weights to drill pipes, or drilling around lodged obstacles.
- 7. Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
- 8. Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- 9. Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
- 10. Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Operation and Control
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Troubleshooting
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Equipment Maintenance
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Chemistry
- Administration and Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Service unit operators, oil and gas?
Service unit operators, oil and gas has an AI exposure score of 39%, 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 Service unit operators, oil and gas?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Service unit operators, oil and gas is projected to grow by 0.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 45,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Service unit operators, oil and gas?
Key skills for Service unit operators, oil and gas include Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Operation and Control, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Service unit operators, oil and gas earn?
The median annual wage for Service unit operators, oil and gas is $57,980, 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 Service unit operators, oil and gas?
The typical entry-level education for Service unit operators, oil and gas is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years 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 Service unit operators, oil and gas?
Service unit operators, oil and gas 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.
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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).