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.

Also called: Board Operator, Crude Unit Operator, Gauger, Hydrotreater Operator, Operator, Outside Operator, Pumper, Refinery Operator, Stillman, Unit Operator, Absorption Plant Operator, Control Board Operator, Control Operator, Control Panel Operator, Control Panel Technician (Control Panel Tech), Dock Operator, Field Gauger, Fuel Distribution System Operator, Gas House Technician (Gas House Tech), Gasoline Plant Operator, Hydrovac Operator, In-House Technician (In-House Tech), Offshore Production Worker, Oil Gauger, Oil Pipeline Dispatcher, Oil Pipeline Operator, Oil Pumper, Oil Refiner, Panel Operator, Petrol Production Gauger, Petroleum Plant Operator, Petroleum Refinery Control Panel Operator, Petroleum Refinery Operator, Petroleum Refinery Worker, Petroleum Refining Equipment Operator, Petroleum Supply Specialist, Pilot Plant Operator, Pipeline Operations Technician, Plant Operator, Pressure Controller, Process Operator, Refiner, Refining Equipment Operator, Specialty Gas Blender, Tank Terminal Gauger, Terminal Gauger

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.
Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Complex Problem Solving
Active Listening
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (97.02% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

77,510–106,320 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-8093.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (97.02% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers