How to become a wellhead pumper
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What wellhead pumpers do
- 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.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
Is wellhead pumper a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 37% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- North Dakota $79,820
- New Mexico $78,010
- Louisiana $76,930
- Texas $75,860
- Colorado $72,700
Wellhead Pumpers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.