All careers › Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Pipeline operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $39,420lowest 10% earn less
- $47,56025th percentile
- $61,770median
- $77,21075th percentile
- $91,820top 10% earn more
The median pay for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers, was $61,770 a year, above the median for all occupations[1][2]. Employment is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +4.3%[3]
- Openings per year
- 1,000[5]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[6]
How much do pipeline operators make?
The BLS category that covers this work is Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers. Its median pay was $61,770 a year, or $29.70 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $63,960 a year, or $30.75 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980, so this job sat above it[2].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,420 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $47,560[4]. The top-paid 25% earned more than $77,210, and the top-paid 10% earned more than $91,820[4]. BLS explains that a percentile is a boundary and that it publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].
| Measure | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[9][4] | $18.95 | $39,420 |
| 25th percentile[9][4] | $22.86 | $47,560 |
| Median[1] | $29.70 | $61,770 |
| 75th percentile[9][4] | $37.12 | $77,210 |
| 90th percentile[9][4] | $44.14 | $91,820 |
These wages cover people paid a wage or salary, part time or full time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production and the cost of benefits[10]. About 9,780 people worked in this job in wage and salary positions[11].
Pay by state and city
Among the 37 states with published data, Illinois had the top median at $92,310, based on 50 jobs[12]. North Dakota followed at $81,400 and Alaska at $80,210[12]. Missouri had a median of $44,650, the lowest on the list[12]. Some of these state figures rest on small job counts.
Texas had the most jobs at 2,110[13]. Louisiana had 1,370 and California had 1,220[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Baton Rouge, LA had the top median at $79,840[14]. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX came next at $76,670, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $71,780[14]. The Houston area also had the most jobs at 770[15].
Show median pay in 37 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois[12] | $92,310 | 50 |
| North Dakota | $81,400 | 70 |
| Alaska | $80,210 | 120 |
| Wyoming | $77,820 | 290 |
| Connecticut | $71,890 | 30 |
| Montana | $71,770 | 50 |
| Michigan | $69,540 | 40 |
| Alabama | $66,890 | 100 |
| Virginia | $66,500 | 150 |
| New Jersey | $64,990 | 310 |
| Ohio | $64,700 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $64,110 | 1,370 |
| Georgia | $64,050 | 130 |
| Texas | $61,770 | 2,110 |
| Mississippi | $61,670 | 70 |
| Utah | $61,590 | 250 |
| West Virginia | $61,450 | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $60,660 | 190 |
| Indiana | $60,620 | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $60,320 | 70 |
| Idaho | $60,200 | n/a |
| Minnesota | $59,700 | 60 |
| Florida | $59,120 | 510 |
| New Mexico | $58,920 | 80 |
| Nevada | $57,980 | 150 |
| California | $57,660 | 1,220 |
| Washington | $57,030 | 80 |
| Oregon | $54,540 | 630 |
| Tennessee | $52,120 | 80 |
| Maine | $51,370 | n/a |
| New York | $48,010 | 300 |
| Oklahoma | $46,900 | 90 |
| Colorado | $46,680 | n/a |
| Kentucky | $46,600 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $46,170 | n/a |
| North Carolina | $45,890 | 180 |
| Missouri | $44,650 | 70 |
How to become a pipeline operator
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience[6]. It also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical[6].
- First: finish high school or earn an equivalent[6].
- Next: you do not need related work experience, according to the typical path[6].
- Then: learn the work on the job, since moderate-term training is the typical route[6].
O*NET places the job in Job Zone 1-2, which it describes as very little to some preparation needed[16]. Our facts do not say how long the training lasts or whether a license is needed.
What pipeline operators do
These workers run pumps and valve systems that move gases, oil, other liquids, slurries or powders between vessels and processes[17]. Typical tasks from O*NET include:
- Watch gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment, and report anything unusual[18].
- Record what was pumped, the amounts and the operating times[18].
- Plan how products move through lines to processing, storage and shipping[18].
- Turn valves and start pumps to start or adjust flows[18].
- Talk with coworkers by radio, phone or signals to start and stop flows[18].
- Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels with hand tools[18].
- Clean, oil and repair pumps and vessels[18].
Job titles that workers report include pipeline operator, pump station operator and pipeline dispatch operator[19].
Job outlook
BLS projects that employment will grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 9,800 jobs to 10,200 jobs[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[20]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].
BLS projects about 1,000 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or switch occupations, not only new positions[5]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 6.4% move to a different occupation[21].
Is it a good fit?
The pay is above the all-occupations median, and the top-paid 10% earned more than $91,820[2][4]. The entry path is a high school diploma with on-the-job training and no related experience[6]. Growth is slightly above the all-occupations rate, at 4.3% against 3.5%[3][20]. The job is small, with about 9,780 wage and salary jobs, and jobs cluster in a few states[11][13]. Our facts do not give the length of training, so ask employers directly.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a pipeline operator make an hour?
- The BLS category for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers, had a median of $29.70 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $18.95 and the top-paid 10% earned more than $44.14[9].
- What education do you need to be a pipeline operator?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training[6].
- Is pipeline operator a job in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][20]. About 1,000 openings a year are expected[5].
- Which state pays pump operators the most?
- Illinois had the top median at $92,310, followed by North Dakota at $81,400[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in the US was $61,770 per year and $29.70 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 9,800 to 10,200 jobs (a change of +400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers: 10th percentile $39,420, 25th percentile $47,560, 75th percentile $77,210, 90th percentile $91,820. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 1,000 openings for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers was $63,960 per year and $30.75 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers: 10th percentile $18.95, 25th percentile $22.86, 75th percentile $37.12, 90th percentile $44.14. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 9,780 people were employed as Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers jobs: Texas 2,110; Louisiana 1,370; California 1,220; Oregon 630; Florida 510. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Baton Rouge, LA $79,840; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $76,670; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $71,780; Shreveport-Bossier City, LA $64,220; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $64,050; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $63,540; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $63,480; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $63,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers jobs: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 770 (median $76,670); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 410 (median $63,540); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 300 (median $63,480); Midland, TX 270 (median $54,800); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 250 (median $63,060); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 210 (median $63,110). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 53-7072.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. 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. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 53-7072.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Boom Pump Operator, Chemical Pumper, Day Light Relief Operator, Outside Operator, Pipeline Dispatch Operator, Pipeline Operator, Pump Operator, Pump Station Operator. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.