Life As a 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.
List of Pump Operator Job Duties
- Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.
- Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.
- Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.
- 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.
- Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.
- Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
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Things a Pump Operator Should Know How to Do
Pump Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Pump Operator Jobs
- Pump Operator
- Chemical Operator
- Concrete Operator
- Product Transfer Pumper
- Boom Pump Operator
Job Opportunities for Pump Operators
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. The BLS estimates 1,700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Pump Operator Salary
Pump Operators make between $28,930 and $73,010 a year.
Pump Operators who work in Indiana, California, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pump Operators make in different U.S. states?
| 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
How do I Become a Pump Operator?
Individuals working as a Pump Operator have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Pump Operator?
Where Pump Operators Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Pump Operators employed by various industries.
Similar Careers
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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