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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Production · SOC 51-8093
4.0% AI Exposure — Medium
$96,710
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
4,300
Proj. Annual Openings
33,160
Employment (OEWS 2025)
96/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure4.0%
AI Resiliency96/100
Exposure BandMedium
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%
Top Skills
1.Operations Monitoring
2.Operation and Control
3.Monitoring
4.Reading Comprehension
5.Speaking
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Board Operator, Crude Unit Operator, Gauger, Hydrotreater Operator, Operator, Outside Operator
Representative 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.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Signal others to coordinate work activities.
- •Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
- •Maintain production or processing equipment.
- •Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- •Repair production equipment or tools.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Excel · hotMicrosoft Outlook · hotMicrosoft Word · hotEmail softwareInventory tracking softwareProgrammable logic controller PLC softwareSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 4.0% | 0.8% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $96,710 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 96/100 | N/A |