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Wellhead Pumpers

SOC 53-7073.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers wellhead pumping operations at oil and gas production sites, spanning leak monitoring, production gauging, compressor and pump management, meter repair, preventive maintenance, and field data reporting across Job Zone 2 skill levels.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Pump and flow-line leaks — identify and report under direct supervision at an active wellhead site.
  2. Oil and gas production gauges — read and record basic measurements with guidance from a senior pumper.
  3. Compressor engine startup procedures — follow written checklists under direct supervision during initial field rotations.
  4. Control panel indicators — observe and note pressure, density, and flow-rate readings while shadowing experienced operators.
  5. Well shut-off valves — operate according to step-by-step production schedule instructions under direct oversight.
  6. Basic hand tools and wrenches — use to assist in meter and gauge removal under supervision on a lease site.
  7. Routine vehicle fluid levels and filters — inspect and document as part of a supervised preventive maintenance checklist.
  8. Safety and environmental protocols — follow when handling oil and gas materials at a producing wellhead.
  9. Spreadsheet and work-order software — enter daily production data with guidance from a site supervisor.
  10. Near-vision inspection of fittings and seals — perform to spot visible wear or corrosion during assigned walkaround rounds.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Flow-line and pump integrity — monitor independently during assigned shifts and log anomalies in a field production system.
  2. Daily oil and gas production volumes — gauge, calculate, and record accurately using standard measurement tools on a multi-well lease.
  3. Compressor units and auxiliary equipment — start up and divert oil flow with minimal oversight following established operating procedures.
  4. Control panel parameters — adjust pumping pressure, rate, and concentration within acceptable ranges to maintain steady production.
  5. Well production schedules — execute switch-overs of oil flow into storage tanks and shut in wells on time with reduced supervision.
  6. Gas and oil meters and simple gauge components — repair and recalibrate using basic mechanical skills in the field.
  7. Preventive maintenance tasks on pumps and vehicles — complete on schedule, documenting findings in a maintenance log or ERP system.
  8. Troubleshooting routine equipment faults — diagnose common causes of pressure loss or flow irregularities and apply standard corrective actions.
  9. Verbal shift handover reports — communicate clearly to oncoming crews about production status and outstanding issues at the wellsite.
  10. Field mathematics for volume and rate calculations — apply to verify gauge readings and confirm production targets are being met.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Gas and fluid leak patterns — detect, trace root cause, and coordinate timely repairs autonomously across a multi-well lease.
  2. Oil and gas production data — gauge, analyze trends, and adjust operations proactively to optimize output within regulatory limits.
  3. Compressor and auxiliary equipment systems — operate and troubleshoot non-routine startup and shutdown scenarios without supervisory input.
  4. Control panel performance deviations — evaluate and resolve complex pressure, density, and rate anomalies during unplanned operational events.
  5. Well production scheduling and tank-battery management — manage independently, balancing storage capacity and pipeline delivery commitments.
  6. Gas and oil meters, gauges, and associated instrumentation — overhaul, calibrate, and verify accuracy using diagnostic tools on a producing lease.
  7. Vehicle and equipment maintenance programs — plan and execute comprehensive schedules, sourcing parts and coordinating downtime with minimal disruption.
  8. Complex field problems such as sand-cut equipment or hydrate formation — diagnose using inductive and deductive reasoning and implement effective solutions.
  9. Production databases and ERP software — generate accurate reports and use data to support operational decisions and regulatory filings.
  10. Critical judgment in safety-sensitive situations — exercise independent decision-making to shut in wells or evacuate when abnormal conditions arise.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Lease-wide production integrity standards — establish and enforce inspection protocols that reduce leak incidents and regulatory violations across all wellheads.
  2. Production measurement systems — design calibration schedules and accuracy benchmarks that set the quality standard for an entire operating district.
  3. Compressor and artificial-lift strategies — evaluate and recommend system configurations that improve gas recovery rates and reduce operating costs at scale.
  4. Operational control guidelines — author standing operating procedures governing pressure management, density limits, and rate targets for a field team.
  5. Well scheduling and tank-battery optimization plans — develop and oversee execution across multiple leases to meet company production and delivery targets.
  6. Meter and instrumentation reliability programs — lead the implementation of maintenance-centered reliability practices that extend equipment service life field-wide.
  7. Equipment maintenance and reliability culture — mentor junior and developing pumpers, standardizing best practices and reducing unplanned downtime across the operation.
  8. Complex troubleshooting methodologies — coach field teams through systematic root-cause analysis of recurring equipment failures and drive permanent corrective actions.
  9. Technology adoption for field data capture — champion the rollout of industrial control and ERP software tools, training staff and validating data integrity.
  10. Organizational safety and environmental performance — lead incident reviews, update risk-management procedures, and represent the field operation to regulatory bodies.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors42 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Field Operator · Gas Lease Pumper · Gas Well Pumper · Lease Attendant · Lease Operator · Oil Field Operator · Oil Field Plant Operator · Oil Field Pumper · Oil Field Technician · Oil Field Worker · Oil Pumper · Oil Well Pumper
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringEquipment MaintenanceSpeakingComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge domains
MechanicalMathematics
Abilities
Problem SensitivityNear VisionMultilimb CoordinationControl PrecisionInformation OrderingReaction TimeInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningStatic StrengthPerceptual Speed
Work styles
CautiousnessDependabilityAttention to DetailStress TolerancePerseveranceSelf-Control
Technology
Spreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareIndustrial control softwareData base user interface and query softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.
  2. Gauge oil and gas production.
  3. Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
  4. Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
  5. Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
  6. Repair gas and oil meters and gauges.
  7. Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
CIP education codes
49.020849.010649.010249.010849.010551.0810

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.