Life As a Pump Operator
Pump Operator Job Description Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
Life As a Pump Operator: What Do They Do?
- Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.
- Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.
- Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.
- 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.
- Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
- Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.
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What Every Pump Operator Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Pump Operators say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Other Pump Operator Job Titles
- Logistics Technician
- Boom Pump Operator
- Concrete Operator
- Gas Transfer Operator
- Production Recovery Operator
Pump Operator Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 11,900 jobs for Pump Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,600 new jobs for Pump Operator by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,700 positions for Pump Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Pump Operator are North Dakota, Idaho, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, North Carolina, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Pump Operator
The average yearly salary of a Pump Operator ranges between $28,930 and $73,010.
Pump Operators who work in Indiana, California, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pump Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $54,960 |
| Alaska | $52,990 |
| Arizona | $51,260 |
| California | $54,750 |
| Colorado | $46,580 |
| Florida | $43,530 |
| Georgia | $45,010 |
| Illinois | $53,050 |
| Indiana | $55,230 |
| Kansas | $37,260 |
| Kentucky | $47,260 |
| Louisiana | $50,270 |
| Michigan | $47,440 |
| Minnesota | $50,350 |
| Mississippi | $40,590 |
| Missouri | $38,160 |
| Montana | $50,950 |
| Nebraska | $33,470 |
| New Hampshire | $50,410 |
| New Jersey | $47,230 |
| North Dakota | $45,540 |
| Ohio | $42,550 |
| Oklahoma | $46,510 |
| Oregon | $48,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,370 |
| Texas | $44,230 |
| Utah | $53,060 |
| Washington | $45,670 |
| West Virginia | $50,010 |
What Tools & Technology do Pump Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Pump Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Becoming a Pump Operator
Individuals working as a Pump Operator have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pump Operator?
Where Pump Operators Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Pump Operators employed by various industries.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Pump Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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