Energy
Wellhead Pumper
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Annual openings
65
BLS median wage
$72,700
Typical education
High school (GED)
10-year growth
+4%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
High school (GED)
Credential requirement
No specific credential listed yet
Work experience
Short-term on-the-job training and experience is expected.
Once a well is producing, efforts focus on increasing or maximizing how much it is producing, refining and improving operational efficiency.
Wellhead Pumpers complete repairs and maintain wellhead equipment.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Automation exposure
High exposure
Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.
A typical day
- Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
- Monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.
- Gauge oil and gas production.
- Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
- Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
- Repair gas and oil meters and gauges.