Wellhead pumpers
SOC Code: 53-7073
Wellhead pumpers carries a 34% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $70,010 and -4.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 18,800 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
Wellhead pumpers (SOC 53-7073) carries an AI exposure score of 34%, 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 18,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -4.7% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $70,010, 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 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 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 pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.
- 2. Gauge oil and gas production.
- 3. Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
- 4. Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
- 5. Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
- 6. Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
- 7. Change water filters.
- 8. Repair gas and oil meters and gauges.
- 9. Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
- 10. Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Administrative
- Chemistry
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Wellhead pumpers?
Wellhead pumpers has an AI exposure score of 34%, 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 Wellhead pumpers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Wellhead pumpers is projected to decline by 4.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 18,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Wellhead pumpers?
Key skills for Wellhead pumpers include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Wellhead pumpers earn?
The median annual wage for Wellhead pumpers is $70,010, 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 Wellhead pumpers?
The typical entry-level education for Wellhead pumpers is High school diploma or equivalent. 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 Wellhead pumpers?
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.
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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).