Production
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
Median pay
$96,710
Growth to 2035
−2%
little or no change
Openings a year
2,700
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers: 62% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
- Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations.
- Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.
Also called: Board Operator · Crude Unit Operator · Gauger · Hydrotreater Operator · Operator · Outside Operator · Pumper · Refinery Operator
Outlook and AI
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers held 32,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 32,300 by 2035 (−2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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