What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in the U.S. earn more than $96,710 a year — the middle 80% land between $57,110 and $115,880. About 33,160 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers”. (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).
$96,710typical pay / year
33,160people in this work
$115,880+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.
Sending & sharing2
Signal workers to operate pumps and valves
+Tell the day shift in Blend Bay A to open suction pump P-12 at 07:30, start valve V-3 to feed the stripper,…
Signal workers to operate pumps and valves
+Tell the day shift in Blend Bay A to open suction pump P-12 at 07:30, start valve V-3 to feed the stripper, and watch inlet pressure for ten minutes; confirm oil is circulating and report any vibration within 15 minutes.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Use automated equipment to regulate flow
+Set the automated routine on the flow control station to maintain 4,200 litres/hour through coil loop C until…
Use automated equipment to regulate flow
+Set the automated routine on the flow control station to maintain 4,200 litres/hour through coil loop C until noon, ramp down by 10% on high temperature alarm, and log any valve errors while verifying outlet temperature every 15 minutes.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work19
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
+Check that the incoming crude and the finished cut are routed through the correct inlet and outlet meters,…
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
+Check that the incoming crude and the finished cut are routed through the correct inlet and outlet meters, verify the meter readouts match the skid totals, and log any discrepancies and corrective steps before shift handover.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAProgrammable logic controller PLCO*NET
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Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
+Walk the tank farm and read the automatic gauge values for each feed and product line at 0700, 1100, 1500 and…
Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
+Walk the tank farm and read the automatic gauge values for each feed and product line at 0700, 1100, 1500 and 1900, calculate instantaneous flow rates into and out of tanks, and note any unexpected level changes in the logbook.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAO*NET
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Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
+Lower the weighted thermometer into Tank 4 and Tank 7, hold until reading stabilises, record the temperatures…
Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
+Lower the weighted thermometer into Tank 4 and Tank 7, hold until reading stabilises, record the temperatures and probe depths, and report any deviation over three degrees from the expected profile to the shift supervisor.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsO*NET
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Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
+Collect the hour‑by‑hour instrument readings, lab GC results and operating notes for my shift, compile them…
Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
+Collect the hour‑by‑hour instrument readings, lab GC results and operating notes for my shift, compile them into the daily operating sheet, flag out‑of‑spec values and attach the signed lab reports before filing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
+Inspect the feed and product pipelines on the 2A run, tighten any loose flanged bolts to torque spec,…
Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
+Inspect the feed and product pipelines on the 2A run, tighten any loose flanged bolts to torque spec, lubricate valve stems that are stiff, and note completed actions and parts used in the maintenance log.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsO*NET
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Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
+Using the standard formulas, calculate the density‑corrected test values from the lab data this morning,…
Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
+Using the standard formulas, calculate the density‑corrected test values from the lab data this morning, enter the computed results on the test sheet, and double‑check the math against the analyzer printout before signing off.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Tend pumps that keep the circulation of oil and derived products running smoothly
+Check the pump skids on Unit B, verify suction and discharge pressures are within limits, change out the…
Tend pumps that keep the circulation of oil and derived products running smoothly
+Check the pump skids on Unit B, verify suction and discharge pressures are within limits, change out the bearing-lubrication line on Pump 2 if vibration exceeds 3 mm/s, and log the action in the pump run sheet before the 07:00 handover.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsESCO
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Monitor the flow within the pipes at a refinery
+Walk the north and south pipe runs, confirm flow rates at the three inline flowmeters match the control-room…
Monitor the flow within the pipes at a refinery
+Walk the north and south pipe runs, confirm flow rates at the three inline flowmeters match the control-room readouts, isolate and tag the 200 mm bypass if readings diverge, and report any persistent imbalance to the shift supervisor by 09:30.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAcontrol panelsESCO
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Test the equipment to ensure minimum disruptions
+Run the scheduled equipment test on Heater A and Reflux Pump 1, follow the test checklist, note any trip or…
Test the equipment to ensure minimum disruptions
+Run the scheduled equipment test on Heater A and Reflux Pump 1, follow the test checklist, note any trip or slow-start behavior, reset faults only after isolating the affected circuit, and file the completed test sheet in the maintenance folder by end of shift.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCESCO
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Work from a highly automated control room
+Operate the automated control room for the 14:00–22:00 shift, monitor column temperatures and bottoms level…
Work from a highly automated control room
+Operate the automated control room for the 14:00–22:00 shift, monitor column temperatures and bottoms level alarms, approve only routine setpoint changes, escalate any trending deviation to the senior control engineer, and keep the console log current every hour.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAProgrammable logic controller PLCESCO
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Report as called for
+Prepare the shift report for today: list start and finish levels for Tower 3, record two pump faults and…
Report as called for
+Prepare the shift report for today: list start and finish levels for Tower 3, record two pump faults and corrective actions, include the hour-by-hour temperature log, and email the final report to the operations manager and maintenance planner before the 07:30 meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
+Clamp the two stainless steel seals around valve V-124 and V-125 on Tank A, torque each clamp to 30 Nm,…
Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
+Clamp the two stainless steel seals around valve V-124 and V-125 on Tank A, torque each clamp to 30 Nm, confirm visual metal-to-metal contact and leak-free with a soap-solution check, then log serial numbers and time in the shift book.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsO*NET
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Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
+Arrange the plant-wide shutdown for Turnaround 7: notify Maintenance, Process Engineering and Shift…
Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
+Arrange the plant-wide shutdown for Turnaround 7: notify Maintenance, Process Engineering and Shift Supervisors of the planned outage on Tuesday 14th, list affected units, required permits, and a two-day commissioning window, and request confirmation of manning and spare parts availability.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
+Calculate today's receipts and deliveries: convert meter volumes to mass for Crude Batch 58 using measured…
Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
+Calculate today's receipts and deliveries: convert meter volumes to mass for Crude Batch 58 using measured temperature and density, reconcile with truck ticket totals, produce the reconciliation table and flag any variance over 0.2 percent for trading.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelInventory trackingO*NET
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Monitor process indicators, gauges, and meters
+Scan all column top and bottom pressures, tray temperatures and reflux flow readings every hour for Column…
Monitor process indicators, gauges, and meters
+Scan all column top and bottom pressures, tray temperatures and reflux flow readings every hour for Column C-3, note any drift beyond normal band, capture screenshots of the live trend and write a two-line action recommendation if any gauge reads outside limits.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAcontrol panelsjob descriptions
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Start pumps and open valves
+Start pump P-21 on suction A, open discharge valve V-301 slowly to avoid hydraulic shock, confirm oil…
Start pumps and open valves
+Start pump P-21 on suction A, open discharge valve V-301 slowly to avoid hydraulic shock, confirm oil circulation in the sight glass within three minutes, check pump vibration and bearing temperature, and record start time and any abnormalities in the log.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsjob descriptions
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Coordinate work activities with others
+Coordinate today's takedown of Feed Line 2 with the lab, maintenance and site safety: confirm permit…
Coordinate work activities with others
+Coordinate today's takedown of Feed Line 2 with the lab, maintenance and site safety: confirm permit issuance, confirm lab will sample before isolation, schedule maintenance crew arrival at 09:00, and circulate the joint work plan with contact names for shifts A and B.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookProgrammable logic controller PLCjob descriptions
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Inventory tracking
+Enter the column's daily feed, reflux and draw-off volumes into the inventory tracking, flag the 10 percent…
Inventory tracking
+Enter the column's daily feed, reflux and draw-off volumes into the inventory tracking, flag the 10 percent variance on side draw from batch B-112, attach operator notes, and lock the record at 07:30 for the morning handover.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Inventory tracking
+record column feed, reflux changes, and batch transfers in the inventory tracking for Run 42, log volumes in…
Inventory tracking
+record column feed, reflux changes, and batch transfers in the inventory tracking for Run 42, log volumes in each tank, note any valve faults, and confirm the shift handover notes before the night crew takes over.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAProgrammable logic controller PLCO*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