What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in the U.S. earn more than $61,770 a year — the middle 80% land between $39,420 and $91,820. About 9,780 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$61,770typical pay / year
9,780people in this work
$91,820+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Fixing1
Control pumps and manifold systems
+Balance flow through the west and east pump trains to maintain 12,000 litres/hour total, open manifold B3 to…
Control pumps and manifold systems
+Balance flow through the west and east pump trains to maintain 12,000 litres/hour total, open manifold B3 to the wax transfer line, reduce pump 2 speed by 8% to stop overpressure at header H-4, and confirm outlet temperatures sit at 52°C within 15 minutes.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAOperational databasesjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work20
Monitor processes and surroundings
+Watch the process screens and the yard camera for the next shift, note any temperature drift, material…
Monitor processes and surroundings
+Watch the process screens and the yard camera for the next shift, note any temperature drift, material shortages, or wax transfer delays, log anomalies with time and tag the affected unit before calling maintenance if thresholds cross.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptions
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Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
+Tell Miguel, shift lead, and the packing crew that charcoal run 3 is behind schedule, list the missing supply…
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
+Tell Miguel, shift lead, and the packing crew that charcoal run 3 is behind schedule, list the missing supply items, request a floater for wax transfer at 14:30 and confirm receipt of the instruction in the next ten minutes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Identify objects, actions, and events
+Scan the live feeds and recent logs to identify which unit caused the viscosity spike, list the visible…
Identify objects, actions, and events
+Scan the live feeds and recent logs to identify which unit caused the viscosity spike, list the visible actions and timestamps, flag any abnormal objects on the conveyor and attach the screenshot with the suspected batch number.
The tools that do the workOperational databasesSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptions
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Make decisions and solve problems
+Decide whether to reduce liquefaction temperature or divert the batch when viscosity rises past the upper…
Make decisions and solve problems
+Decide whether to reduce liquefaction temperature or divert the batch when viscosity rises past the upper limit: calculate expected drop in flow if temperature is cut five degrees, list risks, and issue the chosen action to operations within five minutes.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptions
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Schedule work and activities
+Reserve the packing line and one wax-transfer crew for tomorrow morning, stagger start times to avoid…
Schedule work and activities
+Reserve the packing line and one wax-transfer crew for tomorrow morning, stagger start times to avoid congestion, publish the run sheet with start times and resource names by 18:00 so procurement can confirm supply pickups.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Develop objectives and strategies
+Draft objectives to cut rejected batches by half this quarter: include tighter viscosity checks, two extra…
Develop objectives and strategies
+Draft objectives to cut rejected batches by half this quarter: include tighter viscosity checks, two extra spot measurements per shift, and a pilot to lower liquefaction temp by two degrees; circulate to operations manager and quality for approval.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Transfer wax
+Schedule and record the transfer of 120 kg of molten wax from Storage Tank B2 to Processing Kettle 3 tonight…
Transfer wax
+Schedule and record the transfer of 120 kg of molten wax from Storage Tank B2 to Processing Kettle 3 tonight at 22:00, confirm pump run-time and thermocouple reading at 65°C, photograph connections, and notify shift supervisor Paul by 21:30 if any variance.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAComputerized maintenance management system CMMSESCOsee the evidence ↗
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Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.
+Add 120 litres of caustic solution and 30 litres of antifoam to Tank B-3, record batch numbers and…
Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.
+Add 120 litres of caustic solution and 30 litres of antifoam to Tank B-3, record batch numbers and viscosities, verify tank level and temperature match spec before and after dosing, and notify Shift Engineer Mike if any reading is outside limits.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAO*NET
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Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.
+Run the viscosity and pH tests on the sample from Line 5, log results including tester serial number and…
Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.
+Run the viscosity and pH tests on the sample from Line 5, log results including tester serial number and ambient temperature, compare against the acceptance range, and flag Quality Lead Sandra and file the test record if results fall outside limits.
The tools that do the workOperational databasesO*NET
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Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers.
+Inspect the water softener, refrigeration condenser and heat exchanger at Utility Bay C, record inlet and…
Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers.
+Inspect the water softener, refrigeration condenser and heat exchanger at Utility Bay C, record inlet and outlet temperatures and pressures, perform a softener backwash when hardness exceeds the setpoint, and raise a work request for supervisor Raul if vibration or a leak is detected.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAO*NET
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Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.
+Pump 2,500 litres of base oil from Drum 12 and 500 litres of additive from Drum 7 into Blend Tank A, control…
Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.
+Pump 2,500 litres of base oil from Drum 12 and 500 litres of additive from Drum 7 into Blend Tank A, control flow rates to maintain target viscosity 120 cP, sample at 15-minute intervals, and stop and notify Production Lead Jenna if viscosity deviates more than 5%.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAO*NET
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Transfer gases, oil, or liquids between vessels
+Transfer 4,000 litres of diesel from Storage Vessel S4 to Loading Tank L1 using Pump P2, confirm valve…
Transfer gases, oil, or liquids between vessels
+Transfer 4,000 litres of diesel from Storage Vessel S4 to Loading Tank L1 using Pump P2, confirm valve alignment and pressure limits, monitor transfer to prevent overfill, and report completion and any leaks to Terminal Manager Omar.
The tools that do the workOperational databasesSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptions
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Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
+Diagnose the gearbox noise on Pump P7, isolate the pump, change the oil and replace the worn coupling, record…
Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
+Diagnose the gearbox noise on Pump P7, isolate the pump, change the oil and replace the worn coupling, record parts used and hours worked, and raise a follow-up preventive task with Maintenance Planner Rosa if vibration persists.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptions
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Control machines and processes
+Stabilise furnace output and adjust feed valves to keep liquefaction temperature at 220°C while monitoring…
Control machines and processes
+Stabilise furnace output and adjust feed valves to keep liquefaction temperature at 220°C while monitoring viscosity readings and shifting wax transfer pumps to maintain steady flow for the next two hours; report anomalies to maintenance if pressure or temperature deviates by more than 5%.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptions
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Perform general physical activities (lifting, climbing)
+Load four 25 kg sacks of charcoal onto pallet A, secure with two straps, climb the mezzanine to place the…
Perform general physical activities (lifting, climbing)
+Load four 25 kg sacks of charcoal onto pallet A, secure with two straps, climb the mezzanine to place the pallet at bay 3, and log the completed lift and any awkward handling notes to the shift foreman before the end of this hour.
The tools that do the workOperational databasesjob descriptions
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Document and record information
+Record batch 47’s start and stop times, wax transferred in litres, measured viscosity at 30°C, and any valve…
Document and record information
+Record batch 47’s start and stop times, wax transferred in litres, measured viscosity at 30°C, and any valve adjustments in the daily run sheet, then save the entry and notify quality by noon if viscosity exceeded the control limit.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptions
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Estimate quantities, sizes, or time needed
+Calculate how many 200 kg wax drums are needed to complete the next three runs given current consumption of…
Estimate quantities, sizes, or time needed
+Calculate how many 200 kg wax drums are needed to complete the next three runs given current consumption of 450 kg per run and two drums already staged, then estimate total transfer time assuming pump rate of 50 kg per minute and note any buffer required for pump warm-up.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Troubleshoot mechanical issues
+Isolate the jammed transfer pump, check coupling and bearings, measure lubricant level and vibration at the…
Troubleshoot mechanical issues
+Isolate the jammed transfer pump, check coupling and bearings, measure lubricant level and vibration at the coupling, replace the damaged seal if loose, then bring the pump back online at reduced speed and log actions and parts used.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptions
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Pack charcoal
+Pack fifty 10 kg bags of charcoal into crate B, ensure even distribution to keep crate weight under 200 kg,…
Pack charcoal
+Pack fifty 10 kg bags of charcoal into crate B, ensure even distribution to keep crate weight under 200 kg, seal the crate, label it with batch 112 and date, then move it to dispatch zone and update the inventory log.
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Operational databases
+Reconcile shift incidents and update operational databases with dispatch entries: log three delayed pickups…
Operational databases
+Reconcile shift incidents and update operational databases with dispatch entries: log three delayed pickups between 06:30–09:00, reroute unit 5 to avoid Main Street closure, and flag recurring address error for follow-up.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAO*NET
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses