◈ EMPLOYMENT · TRANSPORTATION_LOGISTICS · 53-7073.00
Wellhead Pumpers
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · TRANSPORTATION_LOGISTICS 53-7073.00 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Wellhead Pumpers
Wellhead Pumpers operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to maintain oil and gas production flow from wells in oil fields. They monitor equipment performance, conduct routine maintenance, and ensure proper pressure and flow rates during pumping operations. These technicians work primarily in oil and gas extraction operations, requiring strong mechanical knowledge and attention to safety protocols.
17,990
National Employment
$69,960
Median Annual Wage
JZ 2
Job Zone
Mining, Quarrying, and Oi
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Gas Plant Operators
Primary-Short
onet declared
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Primary-Short
onet declared
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Primary-Short
onet declared
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Primary-Long
skill overlap
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Both roles share high-importance operations monitoring and equipment maintenance skills with similar proficiency requirements.
task similarity
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Both roles involve operating pumping equipment and monitoring flow lines, with overlapping control precision abilities.
knowledge overlap
Gas Plant Operators
Both positions require strong mechanical knowledge and chemistry understanding for safe handling of oil and gas materials.
riasec cluster
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Both occupations show strong realistic orientation with conventional secondary traits, reflecting hands-on mechanical work in oil field environments.
§ Feeder Roles
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Equipment Operators
Industrial Equipment Operators
§ Destinations
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Gas Plant Operators
Field Operations Supervisor
§ RIASEC Peers
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

A typical day involves attaching pumps and hoses to wellheads and monitoring control panels to ensure materials are pumped at correct pressure and density. Workers perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment, prepare trucks and pumping equipment for specific service requirements, and unload and assemble pipes using hand tools. They continuously monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks, gauge oil and gas production levels, and mix acids, chemicals, or dry cement as required for specific jobs. Documentation of operations and communication with supervisors about equipment status and production metrics are essential daily activities.

Who Thrives

Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate strong problem sensitivity and mechanical aptitude, with the ability to detect equipment issues before they become critical failures. They possess excellent near vision and control precision for operating complex pumping equipment, along with multilimb coordination and quick reaction times for emergency situations. Successful wellhead pumpers are highly cautious and dependable workers who can maintain attention to detail during repetitive monitoring tasks while working independently in remote field locations. Those with realistic and conventional personality traits thrive, as the work involves hands-on mechanical problem-solving and systematic adherence to safety procedures.

Automation Outlook

The introduction of emerging tasks involving drone inspections and advanced monitoring technology suggests gradual automation of routine inspection activities. However, the core work activities requiring hands-on equipment operation, troubleshooting, and emergency response are likely to remain human-dependent due to the unpredictable and safety-critical nature of oil field operations.

Emerging Tasks
New   Conduct regular inspections of equipment using drones or other advanced technology. 05/2025
Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
Employment stands at 17,990 workers nationally with a median annual wage of $69,960 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, ranging from $44,100 to $98,170 for the 10th to 90th percentiles. Geographic wage variation is significant, with North Dakota offering the highest wages at $79,820 compared to Pennsylvania's $45,490, reflecting regional oil and gas activity levels. Nearly 97% of employment is concentrated in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries, making job prospects closely tied to energy commodity prices and drilling activity. The role requires minimal formal preparation (Job Zone 2), making it accessible to workers seeking stable industrial employment with above-average wages.
$44,100
10th
$52,330
25th
$69,960
Median
$82,200
75th
$98,170
90th
Highest Paying State
North Dakota
$79,820 median
Geographic Dispersion
1.755x
highest / lowest median
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction 17,380 emp $69,150
Utilities 50 emp $60,010
Transportation and Warehousing 50 emp $96,120
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
Critical Thinking 3.1
Monitoring 3.1
Speaking 3.0
Active Listening 2.9
Reading Comprehension 2.8
Writing 2.6
Active Learning 2.4
Mathematics 2.2
Learning Strategies 1.9
Science 1.1
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Mechanical 3.7
Mathematics 3.0
Administrative 2.9
Chemistry 2.8
Production and Processing 2.8
English Language 2.7
Public Safety and Security 2.6
Computers and Electronics 2.5
Administration and Management 2.5
Design 2.4
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
6.92
TOP FIT
I
Investigative
2.26
TOP FIT
A
Artistic
1.00
S
Social
1.11
E
Enterprising
1.77
C
Conventional
4.29
TOP FIT
§ Who Thrives
Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate strong problem sensitivity and mechanical aptitude, with the ability to detect equipment issues before they become critical failures. They possess excellent near vision and control precision for operating complex pumping equipment, along with multilimb coordination and quick reaction times for emergency situations. Successful wellhead pumpers are highly cautious and dependable workers who can maintain attention to detail during repetitive monitoring tasks while working independently in remote field locations. Those with realistic and conventional personality traits thrive, as the work involves hands-on mechanical problem-solving and systematic adherence to safety procedures.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Attach pumps and hoses to wellheads.
Supplemental 62% of incumbents
Connect hoses to equipment or machinery.
Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
Core 61% of incumbents
Maintain vehicles in good working condit
Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
Supplemental 61% of incumbents
Set up laboratory or field equipment.
Unload and assemble pipes and pumping equipment, using hand tools.
Supplemental 61% of incumbents
Install parts, assemblies, or attachment
Monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.
Core 60% of incumbents
Monitor equipment operation to ensure prInspect gas systems or components to ide
Gauge oil and gas production.
Core 60% of incumbents
Measure equipment outputs.Calculate weights, volumes or other char
Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
Core 60% of incumbents
Monitor equipment gauges or displays to
Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
Supplemental 60% of incumbents
Control pumps or pumping equipment.
Change water filters.
Supplemental 60% of incumbents
Install parts, assemblies, or attachmentInstall machine or equipment replacement
Mix acids, chemicals, or dry cement as required for a specific job.
Supplemental 60% of incumbents
Prepare chemicals for work application.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
HOT
Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
HOT
Microsoft Outlook
Electronic mail software
HOT
Microsoft Word
Word processing software
HOT
Moxa software
Industrial control software
Operational databases
Data base user interface and query softw
SAP software
Enterprise resource planning ERP softwar
HOT
Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Industrial control software
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
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 trainin
Entry typically requires a high school diploma, with 80.5% of workers holding this credential according to education distribution data. Many workers gain relevant skills through post-secondary certificates in mechanical or industrial technologies, while others enter through on-the-job training programs offered by oil and gas companies. Prior experience with mechanical equipment, vehicles, or industrial processes provides valuable preparation for the role.
Wellhead pumpers can advance to supervisory positions overseeing multiple well sites or transition to related roles such as petroleum pump system operators or gas plant operators. Some progress to service unit operator positions or move into equipment maintenance specialist roles within the oil and gas industry. The transferable skills in operations monitoring, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting create pathways to other industrial operator positions in utilities or manufacturing.
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for 80.5%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for trai 10.9%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) 7.4%
Less than a High School Diploma 1.3%
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Wellhead Pumpers job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Transportation Logistics Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
equipment tendency others oil control production wellhead gas principles operations materials pressure monitoring activities includes objects pumping mechanical ideas provides
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
equipment 57 0.0197
onet dimensi 40% inference 23%
tendency 42 0.0145
onet dimensi 100%
others 39 0.0134
onet dimensi 97% inference 3%
oil 22 0.0076
inference 41% onet tasks 36%
control 22 0.0076
onet dimensi 55% wikipedia 18%
production 19 0.0066
onet dimensi 42% wikipedia 26%
wellhead 19 0.0066
wikipedia 79% inference 21%
gas 17 0.0059
inference 53% onet tasks 29%
principles 16 0.0055
onet dimensi 100%
operations 15 0.0052
onet dimensi 40% inference 33%
materials 15 0.0052
onet dimensi 67% wikipedia 13%
pressure 14 0.0048
wikipedia 79% inference 14%
monitoring 13 0.0045
onet dimensi 62% inference 31%
activities 13 0.0045
onet dimensi 69% inference 23%
includes 12 0.0041
onet dimensi 100%
objects 12 0.0041
onet dimensi 100%
pumping 11 0.0038
inference 36% onet tasks 27%
mechanical 11 0.0038
inference 55% onet dimensi 45%
ideas 11 0.0038
onet dimensi 100%
provides 11 0.0038
wikipedia 82% inference 18%
procedures 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 80% wikipedia 10%
techniques 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 100%
body 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 100%
drilling 10 0.0034
wikipedia 80% inference 20%
casing 10 0.0034
wikipedia 100%
pumps 9 0.0031
onet tasks 33% dwas 33%
maintenance 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 44% inference 44%
hand 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 78% onet tasks 11%
problems 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 100%
problem 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 78% inference 22%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Wellhead Pumpers
53-7073.00 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
What is the current national employment level for Wellhead Pumpers?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, there are 17,990 Wellhead Pumpers employed nationally in the United States.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025
What is the median annual wage for Wellhead Pumpers and what is the salary range?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, Wellhead Pumpers earn a median annual wage of $69,960, with the 10th percentile at $44,100 and 90th percentile at $98,170.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025
Which state offers the highest median wage for Wellhead Pumpers and by how much?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data, North Dakota offers the highest median wage at $79,820, which is approximately $9,860 above the national median of $69,960.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025
What are the fastest-growing related occupations for Wellhead Pumpers seeking career advancement?
According to ONet related occupations data, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (51-8093.00) and Gas Plant Operators (51-8092.00) represent primary-short tier advancement paths, while Hydroelectric Plant Technicians offer longer-term specialist progression.
market_intel ONet Related Occupations Index
What education credentials should someone pursue to enter the Wellhead Pumper profession?
According to education distribution data, 80.5% of Wellhead Pumpers hold a high school diploma/GED; however, 10.9% hold post-secondary certificates in engineering technologies or natural resources, which can accelerate advancement.
career_advice Education Distribution Analysis
What are the most critical competencies for success as a Wellhead Pumper?
According to ability and skill importance scores, problem sensitivity (3.9), critical thinking (3.1), and monitoring (3.1) are essential. Additionally, near vision, control precision, and multilimb coordination are vital for safe equipment operation.
career_advice Abilities and Skills Analysis
How does the Wellhead Pumper salary compare to related pump operations roles?
Wellhead Pumpers earn a median of $69,960, which is comparable to related occupations like Pump Operators (except wellhead) and Gas Compressor operators. Petroleum Pump System Operators in refineries may earn slightly higher in certain states.
comparative BLS OEWS May 2025Related Occupations Data
What are the primary industries employing Wellhead Pumpers and their market demand?
According to industry distribution data, Wellhead Pumpers work primarily in Mining/Oil & Gas Extraction, Utilities, and Transportation/Warehousing, with oil and gas extraction representing the dominant sector and driving demand tied to energy markets.
comparative Top Industries Data
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 53-7073.00 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/53-7073-wellhead_pumpers
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Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 53-7073.00 · Wellhead Pumpers 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '53-7073.00'), ('soc_code', '53-7073'), ('title', 'Wellhead Pumpers'), ('vertical', 'transportation_logistics'), ('job_zone', '2'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For e'), ('description', 'Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (14 tasks, 1 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[Supplemental] [62% incumbents] Attach pumps and hoses to wellheads.
  DWAs: Connect hoses to equipment or machinery.

[Core] [61% incumbents] Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
  DWAs: Maintain vehicles in good working condition.

[Supplemental] [61% incumbents] Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
  DWAs: Set up laboratory or field equipment.

[Supplemental] [61% incumbents] Unload and assemble pipes and pumping equipment, using hand tools.
  DWAs: Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.
  DWAs: Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | Inspect gas systems or components to identify leaks or other potential hazards.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Gauge oil and gas production.
  DWAs: Measure equipment outputs. | Calculate weights, volumes or other characteristics of materials.

[Core] [60% incumbents] Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
  DWAs: Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.

[Supplemental] [60% incumbents] Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
  DWAs: Control pumps or pumping equipment.

[Supplemental] [60% incumbents] Change water filters.
  DWAs: Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment. | Install machine or equipment replacement parts.

[Supplemental] [60% incumbents] Mix acids, chemicals, or dry cement as required for a specific job.
  DWAs: Prepare chemicals for work application.

[Supplemental] [60% incumbents] Supervise oil pumpers and other workers engaged in producing oil from wells.
  DWAs: Direct material handling or moving activities.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
  DWAs: Control pumps or pumping equipment.

[Core] [59% incumbents] Repair gas and oil meters and gauges.
  DWAs: Repair precision devices or workpieces.

[Core] [57% incumbents] Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
  DWAs: Control pumps or pumping equipment.

[EMERGING:New] Conduct regular inspections of equipment using drones or other advanced technology.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- SKILLS ---
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Monitoring (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Speaking (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Active Listening (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Reading Comprehension (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing (imp:2.62 lvl:2.12) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Active Learning (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Mathematics (imp:2.25 lvl:1.62) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Learning Strategies (imp:1.88 lvl:1.38) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Science (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Mechanical (imp:3.69 lvl:4.33) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Mathematics (imp:3.02 lvl:3.19) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Administrative (imp:2.85 lvl:2.91) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Chemistry (imp:2.82 lvl:3.30) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Production and Processing (imp:2.79 lvl:2.51) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  English Language (imp:2.72 lvl:1.89) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Public Safety and Security (imp:2.57 lvl:2.53) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Computers and Electronics (imp:2.55 lvl:3.01) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Administration and Management (imp:2.49 lvl:2.49) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Design (imp:2.42 lvl:2.47) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.41 lvl:2.13) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Building and Construction (imp:2.41 lvl:2.82) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Law and Government (imp:2.41 lvl:2.11) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Education and Training (imp:2.37 lvl:2.10) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Physics (imp:2.34 lvl:2.47) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Engineering and Technology (imp:2.31 lvl:2.58) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Transportation (imp:2.29 lvl:1.85) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:1.89) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Biology (imp:1.88 lvl:1.33) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:1.72 lvl:1.30) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Telecommunications (imp:1.67 lvl:1.18) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Psychology (imp:1.57) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.47 lvl:0.94) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Geography (imp:1.47 lvl:1.02) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.33) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Communications and Media (imp:1.31 lvl:0.60) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:1.26 lvl:0.69) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:1.26 lvl:0.65) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Foreign Language (imp:1.16) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Food Production (imp:1.15) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  History and Archeology (imp:1.15) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.14) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Fine Arts (imp:1.03) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform

--- ABILITIES ---
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.88 lvl:3.25) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Near Vision (imp:3.50 lvl:3.25) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Information Ordering (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Control Precision (imp:3.25 lvl:4.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:3.25 lvl:3.38) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Reaction Time (imp:3.25 lvl:3.50) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Manual Dexterity (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Static Strength (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Oral Expression (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Response Orientation (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Trunk Strength (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.00 lvl:2.75) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.00 lvl:2.50) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Oral Comprehension (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Written Comprehension (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Category Flexibility (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Far Vision (imp:2.88 lvl:2.50) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Visualization (imp:2.75 lvl:3.12) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Selective Attention (imp:2.75 lvl:3.12) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Stamina (imp:2.75 lvl:2.38) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Written Expression (imp:2.62 lvl:2.38) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.50 lvl:3.12) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.50 lvl:2.88) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Time Sharing (imp:2.25 lvl:2.25) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Rate Control (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.25 lvl:2.62) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Auditory Attention (imp:2.25 lvl:2.62) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Originality (imp:2.12 lvl:1.75) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.12 lvl:1.38) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:2.12 lvl:1.62) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Memorization (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:1.75) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Spatial Orientation (imp:2.12 lvl:1.88) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:2.12 lvl:1.62) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Depth Perception (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Peripheral Vision (imp:2.00 lvl:1.25) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.88 lvl:1.50) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.88 lvl:1.50) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Sound Localization (imp:1.75 lvl:0.75) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.62 lvl:0.75) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Night Vision (imp:1.62 lvl:0.75) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:4.34 lvl:4.21) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:4.28 lvl:3.90) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:4.12 lvl:4.01) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:4.11 lvl:4.50) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:4.10 lvl:4.48) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.09 lvl:4.16) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:4.06 lvl:3.98) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:3.97 lvl:3.55) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:3.90 lvl:4.47) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.83 lvl:4.50) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:3.83 lvl:5.02) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Processing Information (imp:3.79 lvl:4.31) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:3.70 lvl:3.80) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:3.69 lvl:3.32) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.67 lvl:3.55) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Getting Information (imp:3.54 lvl:3.45) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Working with Computers (imp:3.53 lvl:3.55) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.48 lvl:3.56) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.38 lvl:3.83) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.34 lvl:3.52) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:3.31 lvl:3.90) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.31 lvl:3.60) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:3.25 lvl:4.77) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:3.24 lvl:3.07) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:3.19 lvl:2.93) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.16 lvl:3.31) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.04 lvl:2.85) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:3.04 lvl:2.97) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.00 lvl:3.29) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.88 lvl:2.80) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:2.87 lvl:2.55) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:2.84 lvl:3.34) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.81 lvl:2.82) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.78 lvl:2.61) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:2.74 lvl:2.42) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:2.72 lvl:2.44) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.53 lvl:2.49) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:2.47 lvl:2.27) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:2.35 lvl:2.14) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:2.21 lvl:1.85) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.94 lvl:1.66) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Cautiousness (imp:2.62) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Dependability (imp:2.56) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Dependability (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:1.74) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.49) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Perseverance (imp:1.46) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Self-Control (imp:1.25) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Integrity (imp:1.21) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:1.16) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.10) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Adaptability (imp:1.02) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Cautiousness (imp:1.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Cooperation (imp:0.64) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.43) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Optimism (imp:0.16) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Initiative (imp:0.13) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Leadership Orientation (imp:0.02) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Sincerity (imp:0.02) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Attention to Detail () — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Empathy (imp:-0.14) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Humility (imp:-0.20) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Innovation (imp:-0.24) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Social Orientation (imp:-0.68) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:-0.69) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Operations Monitoring (imp:4.00 lvl:3.88) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Operation and Control (imp:3.88 lvl:3.88) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Troubleshooting (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Repairing (imp:3.12 lvl:3.75) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.12 lvl:2.88) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Time Management (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:2.50 lvl:2.12) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.38 lvl:2.50) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Coordination (imp:2.25 lvl:2.38) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Equipment Selection (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Instructing (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Persuasion (imp:2.00 lvl:1.25) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Negotiation (imp:2.00 lvl:1.00) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.00 lvl:1.38) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.00 lvl:1.38) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Service Orientation (imp:1.88 lvl:1.25) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Technology Design (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Installation (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Programming (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 17,990 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 17,990
  annual_median    : $69,960
  annual_pct10     : $44,100
  annual_pct25     : $52,330
  annual_pct75     : $82,200
  annual_pct90     : $98,170
  annual_mean      : $70,370
  hourly_median    : $33.63

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : North Dakota ($79,820)
  lowest_state     : Pennsylvania ($45,490)
  dispersion_ratio : 1.755x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (19 total) ---
  Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction emp:   17,380  median: $  69,150
  Utilities                                emp:       50  median: $  60,010
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:       50  median: $  96,120

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (3 total) ---
  Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction emp:   17,380  median: $  69,150
  Utilities                                emp:       50  median: $  60,010
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:       50  median: $  96,120
Wikipedia — Wellhead (519 words) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellhead ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Wellhead
match_score        : 0.6667
wikidata_qid       : Q7981274
word_count         : 519
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellhead
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T23:40:31.566701Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
A wellhead is the component at the surface of an oil or gas well that provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment.

The primary purpose of a wellhead is to provide the suspension point and pressure seals for the casing strings that run from the bottom of the hole sections to the surface pressure control equipment.
While drilling the oil well, surface pressure control is provided by a blowout preventer (BOP). If the pressure is not contained during drilling operations by the column of drilling fluid, casings, wellhead, and BOP, a well blowout could occur.
When the well has been drilled, it is completed to provide an interface with the reservoir rock and a tubular conduit for the well fluids. The surface pressure control is provided by a Christmas tree, which is installed on top of the wellhead, with isolation valves and choke equipment to control the flow of well fluids during production.
Wellheads are typically welded onto the first string of casing, which has been cemented in place during drilling operations, to form an integral structure of the well. In exploration wells that are later abandoned, the wellhead may be recovered for refurbishment and re-use.
Offshore, where a wellhead is located on the production platform it is called a surface wellhead, and if located beneath the water then it is referred to as a subsea wellhead or mudline wellhead.


== Components ==
The primary components of a wellhead system are:

casing head
casing spools
casing hangers
choke manifold
packoffs (isolation) seals
test plugs
mudline suspension systems
tubing heads
tubing hangers
tubing head adapter


== Functions ==
A wellhead serves numerous functions, some of which are:

Provide a means of casing suspension (Casing is the permanently installed pipe used to line the well hole for pressure containment and collapse prevention during the drilling phase).
Provides a means of tubing suspension (Tubing is removable pipe installed in the well through which well fluids pass).
Provides a means of pressure sealing and isolation between casing at surface when many casing strings are used.
Provides pressure monitoring and pumping access to annuli between the different casing/tubing strings.
Provides a means of attaching a blowout preventer during drilling.
Provides a means of attaching a Christmas tree for production operations.
Provides a reliable means of well access.
Provides a means of attaching a well pump,


== Design specification ==
The oil industry specifications for wellhead systems (materials, dimensions, test procedures and pressure ratings etc.) are :

API 6A, 20th Edition, October 2010; Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
ISO 10423:2009 Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
In general well heads are five nominal ratings of wellheads: 2, 3, 5, 10 and 15 (×1000) psi working pressure. They have an operating temperature range of −50 to +250 degrees Fahrenheit. They are used in conjunction with ring type seal gaskets.
In general the yield strength of the materials range from 36000 to 75000 psi.


== See also ==
Puteal — Water well head
Pumpjack
American Petroleum Institute
Drilling rig (petroleum)


== References ==


== External links ==

Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary: wellhead

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Rode, Somerset (similarity: 0.4000)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rode%2C_Somerset
  QID: Q2140049
  Extract: Rode is a village and civil parish in the ceremonial county of Somerset in England, 5 miles (8.0 km) north-east of Frome and 5 miles (8.0 km) south-west of Trowbridge.

  Title: Pumpjack (similarity: 0.3333)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpjack
  QID: Q1820425
  Extract: A pumpjack is the overground drive for a reciprocating piston pump in an oil well.

  Title: Well intervention (similarity: 0.4242)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Well_intervention
  QID: Q7981124
  Extract: A well intervention, or well work, is any operation carried out on an oil or gas well during, or at the end of, its productive life that alters the state of the well or well geometry, provides well diagnostics, or manages the production of the well.

  Title: Canonical quantization (similarity: 0.1053)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_quantization
  QID: Q5961083
  Extract: In physics, canonical quantization is a procedure for quantizing a classical theory, while attempting to preserve the formal structure, such as symmetries, of the classical theory to the greatest extent possible.

  Title: Curl (mathematics) (similarity: 0.2941)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curl_(mathematics)
  QID: Q206310
  Extract: In vector calculus, the curl, also known as rotor, is a vector operator that describes the infinitesimal circulation of a vector field in three-dimensional Euclidean space. The curl at a point in the field is represented by a vector whose length and direction denote the magnitude and axis of the max
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0458 inferred_at: 2026-06-04T03:36:57 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong occupational data with detailed task descriptions, comprehensive skill/knowledge profiles, robust wage data, and clear industry concentration in oil and gas extraction.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-04T03:36:57.120573+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,720
tokens_output        : 4,283
cost_usd             : $0.045753
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Wellhead
wikipedia_note       : The Wikipedia match provides technical context about wellhead equipment as the surface interface for drilling and production equipment. The pumpjack semantic neighbor further clarifies the mechanical pumping systems these operators work with.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Wellhead Pumpers operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to maintain oil and gas production flow from wells in oil fields. They monitor equipment performance, conduct routine maintenance, and ensure proper pressure and flow rates during pumping operations. These technicians work primarily in oil and gas extraction operations, requiring strong mechanical knowledge and attention to safety protocols.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A typical day involves attaching pumps and hoses to wellheads and monitoring control panels to ensure materials are pumped at correct pressure and density. Workers perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment, prepare trucks and pumping equipment for specific service requirements, and unload and assemble pipes using hand tools. They continuously monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks, gauge oil and gas production levels, and mix acids, chemicals, or dry cement as required for specific jobs. Documentation of operations and communication with supervisors about equipment status and production metrics are essential daily activities.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel in this role demonstrate strong problem sensitivity and mechanical aptitude, with the ability to detect equipment issues before they become critical failures. They possess excellent near vision and control precision for operating complex pumping equipment, along with multilimb coordination and quick reaction times for emergency situations. Successful wellhead pumpers are highly cautious and dependable workers who can maintain attention to detail during repetitive monitoring tasks while working independently in remote field locations. Those with realistic and conventional personality traits thrive, as the work involves hands-on mechanical problem-solving and systematic adherence to safety procedures.

CAREER ENTRY:
Entry typically requires a high school diploma, with 80.5% of workers holding this credential according to education distribution data. Many workers gain relevant skills through post-secondary certificates in mechanical or industrial technologies, while others enter through on-the-job training programs offered by oil and gas companies. Prior experience with mechanical equipment, vehicles, or industrial processes provides valuable preparation for the role.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Wellhead pumpers can advance to supervisory positions overseeing multiple well sites or transition to related roles such as petroleum pump system operators or gas plant operators. Some progress to service unit operator positions or move into equipment maintenance specialist roles within the oil and gas industry. The transferable skills in operations monitoring, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting create pathways to other industrial operator positions in utilities or manufacturing.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
Employment stands at 17,990 workers nationally with a median annual wage of $69,960 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, ranging from $44,100 to $98,170 for the 10th to 90th percentiles. Geographic wage variation is significant, with North Dakota offering the highest wages at $79,820 compared to Pennsylvania's $45,490, reflecting regional oil and gas activity levels. Nearly 97% of employment is concentrated in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries, making job prospects closely tied to energy commodity prices and drilling activity. The role requires minimal formal preparation (Job Zone 2), making it accessible to workers seeking stable industrial employment with above-average wages.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
The introduction of emerging tasks involving drone inspections and advanced monitoring technology suggests gradual automation of routine inspection activities. However, the core work activities requiring hands-on equipment operation, troubleshooting, and emergency response are likely to remain human-dependent due to the unpredictable and safety-critical nature of oil field operations.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [skill_overlap] Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (51-8093.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share high-importance operations monitoring and equipment maintenance skills with similar proficiency requirements.
    data: Operations Monitoring (imp:4.0, lvl:3.9)
    data: Equipment Maintenance (imp:3.1, lvl:3.2)
  [task_similarity] Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers (53-7072.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles involve operating pumping equipment and monitoring flow lines, with overlapping control precision abilities.
    data: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:4.1, lvl:4.0)
    data: Control Precision (imp:3.2, lvl:4.0)
  [knowledge_overlap] Gas Plant Operators (51-8092.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both positions require strong mechanical knowledge and chemistry understanding for safe handling of oil and gas materials.
    data: Mechanical (imp:3.7, lvl:4.3)
    data: Chemistry (imp:2.8, lvl:3.3)
  [riasec_cluster] Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas (47-5012.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both occupations show strong realistic orientation with conventional secondary traits, reflecting hands-on mechanical work in oil field environments.
    data: R:6.92
    data: C:4.29
    data: Oil field operations
  [career_pathway] Roustabouts, Oil and Gas (47-5071.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Entry-level oil field workers often progress to wellhead pumper roles, sharing similar job zone requirements and industry context.
    data: Job Zone 2
    data: Oil and gas extraction: 17,380 employed
    data: High school diploma: 80.5%

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['wellhead', 'pumper', 'oil well', 'gas well', 'field operator', 'lease operator', 'oil field', 'pumping equipment']
  exclude_keywords : ['refinery', 'drilling', 'roustabout', 'pipeline', 'distribution']
  title_patterns   : ['*pumper', 'field operator', 'lease*operator', 'oil*operator', '*well*operator']
  common_variations: ['oil pumper', 'gas pumper', 'lease pumper', 'well pumper', 'field pumper', 'oil field pumper', 'gas well pumper', 'wellhead operator']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['equipment', 'tendency', 'others', 'oil', 'control', 'production', 'wellhead', 'gas', 'principles', 'operations', 'materials', 'pressure', 'monitoring', 'activities', 'includes', 'objects', 'pumping', 'mechanical', 'ideas', 'provides']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
equipment                  57  0.01965  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:40%  inference:23%  dwas:19%
tendency                   42  0.01448  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
others                     39  0.01345  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:97%  inference:3%
oil                        22  0.00759  inference            inference:41%  onet_tasks:36%  wikipedia:23%
control                    22  0.00759  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:55%  wikipedia:18%  dwas:14%
production                 19  0.00655  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:42%  wikipedia:26%  inference:21%
wellhead                   19  0.00655  wikipedia            wikipedia:79%  inference:21%
gas                        17  0.00586  inference            inference:53%  onet_tasks:29%  wikipedia:12%
principles                 16  0.00552  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
operations                 15  0.00517  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:40%  inference:33%  wikipedia:20%
materials                  15  0.00517  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  wikipedia:13%  onet_tasks:7%
pressure                   14  0.00483  wikipedia            wikipedia:79%  inference:14%  onet_tasks:7%
monitoring                 13  0.00448  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:62%  inference:31%  wikipedia:8%
activities                 13  0.00448  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:69%  inference:23%  dwas:8%
includes                   12  0.00414  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
objects                    12  0.00414  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
pumping                    11  0.00379  inference            inference:36%  onet_tasks:27%  dwas:27%
mechanical                 11  0.00379  inference            inference:55%  onet_dimensions:45%
ideas                      11  0.00379  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
provides                   11  0.00379  wikipedia            wikipedia:82%  inference:18%
procedures                 10  0.00345  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  wikipedia:10%  inference:10%
techniques                 10  0.00345  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
body                       10  0.00345  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
drilling                   10  0.00345  wikipedia            wikipedia:80%  inference:20%
casing                     10  0.00345  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
pumps                       9  0.00310  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:33%  dwas:33%  inference:33%
maintenance                 9  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:44%  inference:44%  onet_tasks:11%
hand                        9  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  onet_tasks:11%  inference:11%
problems                    9  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
problem                     9  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  inference:22%
resources                   9  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
quickly                     9  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
orientation                 9  0.00310  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
vehicles                    8  0.00276  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  inference:25%  onet_tasks:12%
surface                     8  0.00276  wikipedia            wikipedia:75%  onet_tasks:12%  inference:12%
performance                 8  0.00276  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
attention                   8  0.00276  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  inference:25%
needs                       8  0.00276  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
rules                       8  0.00276  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
human                       8  0.00276  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 53-7073.00 · built 2026-06-02 · Sources declared above are authoritative originals. This page synthesizes but does not replace them. Every claim traceable. Full provenance. Constitutional Law I.
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