# Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/pump-operators-except-wellhead-pumpers
- SOC code: 53-7072.00
- Career family: Transportation
- Median annual pay: $61,770 (10th percentile $39,420, 90th percentile $91,820)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.3%
- Openings a year: 1,000
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 95 |
| Investigative (I) | 21 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 5 |
| Enterprising (E) | 8 |
| Conventional (C) | 58 |

## What you'd do

- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 98/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 90/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 87/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 85/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 83/100)
- Getting Information (importance 81/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 81/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 78/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 76/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 75/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Troubleshooting

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, English Language, Mechanical, Mathematics, Administration and Management, Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, Public Safety and Security, Administrative, Education and Training

## Also called

Acid Loader, Acid Pump Operator, Airveyor Operator, Boom Pump Operator, Booster Station Operator, Brewery Pumper, Caustic Pump Operator, Chemical Pumper, Concrete Boom Pump Operator, Concrete Operator

## Related careers

- [Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/gas-compressor-and-gas-pumping-station-operators): $77,320 median pay
- [Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/petroleum-pump-system-operators-refinery-operators-and-gaugers): $96,710 median pay
- [Wellhead Pumpers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/wellhead-pumpers): $69,960 median pay
- [Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/separating-filtering-clarifying-precipitating-and-still-machine-setters-operators-and): $51,610 median pay
- [Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators): $78,620 median pay
- [Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators): $60,020 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.