Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Pump Operators
Pump Operators 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Pump Operators 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.
- Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
- Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
- Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Pump Operators record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times. They read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.
A typical day for a Pump Operator will also include:
- Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units and heat exchangers.
- Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
- Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
- Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
- Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Pump Operators also clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment. They may also pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Pump Operators connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools. They might also turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
In addition, they add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.
To some Pump Operators, it is also their responsibility to plan the movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they found their job meaningful.
I’m a pump operator at North Ridge Pumps.
A typical day at North Ridge Pumps is certainly varied. We operate worldwide and across a diverse range of fluids and industries, so sometimes we can be talking to a Mining Engineer who is looking to solve a process issue whereby they are experiencing accelerated wear on a pump, frequently replacing spare parts and are looking to us for a solution and then shortly after speaking to a customer looking to refill light aircraft with a hand pump in Africa.
Sometimes people are only after technical advice, spare parts brochures, or in need of pump repair, so from one minute to the next, the role can be really diverse.
Pros
The pros of working as a pump operator are that each day is unique and completely different from the next due to the individual handling requirements of fluids which can vary from food transfer requiring a safe hygienic pump, to a slurry transfer application requiring a slow moving hard wearing unit, or a pump for a toxic chemical which needs to be safe and ensure zero chance of leakage.
You have to be a quick thinker, be analytical and also think of how a pump may interact as part of a system to understand if what you propose is right for the process.
You have to think laterally about how the customer will perform repairs when required, how they will access the pump, and whether additional infrastructure is required to maintain the unit such as if it is heavy and immersed in a tank or located in a confined space.
Some days we are the problem solver, other days the specifier and solution provider. We have to work to critically analyze a process, understand the working parts of not only the pump but also the associated system which directly affects the operation of the pump.
Cons
Some of the downsides of working as a pump operator are that sometimes customers are not willing to invest in what is the ideal solution for their process and opt for something which is not right, leading to failure and ultimately costing themselves more in lost production. A few months ago, we had a prospect contact us looking to improve the way they handle molten wax. They were experiencing frequent pump failures and needed to increase production. Rather than opt for a peristaltic pump which was virtually maintenance-free, they chose to continue to use a cheap shower pump which would often clog and be thrown away despite it not being right for their process.
Working as a pump operator involves working closely with clients to ensure all process information is obtained, is right and so the correct solution is specified. If vital information is missed the incorrect pump can be selected leading to premature failure.
With so many different pump technologies and designs available it can take a while to fully understand and learn which pumps should be used with each fluid and process. It is impossible to put in a selection table as each process can be completely different which means it can take new starters up to 2 years to be able to work confidently to specify pumps correctly.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Salary is below average.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Pump Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $30,200 to $37,140 per year or $15 to $18 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $81,290 | $39 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $63,510 | $31 |
| Median | $48,090 | $23 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $37,140 | $18 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $30,200 | $15 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Pump Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $73560 | $35.37 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | $71060 | $34.16 |
| Coal Mining | $66970 | $32.20 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $65140 | $31.32 |
| Other Pipeline Transportation | $62490 | $30.04 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $60110 | $28.90 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | $58750 | $28.24 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | $57020 | $27.41 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $56690 | $27.25 |
| Utility System Construction | $56000 | $26.92 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Pump Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Pump Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Activities for Mining | 2350 | $53180 | $25.57 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | 1190 | $46710 | $22.46 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 640 | $55260 | $26.57 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | 490 | $40250 | $19.35 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 480 | $56690 | $27.25 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 350 | $55980 | $26.91 |
| Local Government | 350 | $47720 | $22.94 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | 320 | $60110 | $28.90 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | 270 | $58750 | $28.24 |
| Utility System Construction | 260 | $56000 | $26.92 |
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What is the work day like
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
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On The Job Training
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Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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