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.
Fixing1
Maintain and repair equipment
+Inspect the pump room and control cabinet now, log sensor readings, tighten loose electrical terminals,…
Maintain and repair equipment
+Inspect the pump room and control cabinet now, log sensor readings, tighten loose electrical terminals, replace the leaking seal on pump B, and update the maintenance log with parts used and hours before leaving shift.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCInventory trackingESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Signal workers to operate pumps and valves
+From the operator stand, confirm valve positions and signal the floor crew to open valve 3 for fuel transfer,…
Signal workers to operate pumps and valves
+From the operator stand, confirm valve positions and signal the floor crew to open valve 3 for fuel transfer, monitor pressure gauges for two minutes, call a stop if pressure rises above safe limit, and note the time in the operations log.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAControl panelsESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work19
Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
+Clamp two stainless steel seals around the inlet and outlet valve stems on Tank B7, torque each clamp to 25…
Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
+Clamp two stainless steel seals around the inlet and outlet valve stems on Tank B7, torque each clamp to 25 Nm, verify the seals are seated with no oil weep, log serials and photograph both seals before leaving the pad.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsO*NET
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Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
+Arrange a coordinated shutdown for Line 3 next Tuesday at 2200, notify maintenance lead Carlos, shift…
Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
+Arrange a coordinated shutdown for Line 3 next Tuesday at 2200, notify maintenance lead Carlos, shift supervisor Janet, and pipeline company, list required isolations and the hotwork permit owner, and attach the risk assessment so they can confirm availability.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
+Prepare the delivery and receipt calculation for tomorrow’s 10,000 litre crude load: check gauge heights,…
Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
+Prepare the delivery and receipt calculation for tomorrow’s 10,000 litre crude load: check gauge heights, convert to litres using Tank B calibration, subtract previous inventory, and produce a one-page tally for the driver and the receiving clerk.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Monitor process indicators, gauges, and meters
+Monitor all pressure gauges and temperature indicators on the Naphtha skid for the 0600 to 0800 shift, watch…
Monitor process indicators, gauges, and meters
+Monitor all pressure gauges and temperature indicators on the Naphtha skid for the 0600 to 0800 shift, watch for any sustained pressure rise above 3.5 bar or temperature drift over 8°C, log anomalies and call the on-call engineer if limits persist five minutes.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptions
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Start pumps and open valves
+Start Pump P12 and slowly open Valve V4 to 25 percent, confirm oil circulation by sight glass and flow meter…
Start pumps and open valves
+Start Pump P12 and slowly open Valve V4 to 25 percent, confirm oil circulation by sight glass and flow meter reading, watch for vibration for two minutes, then ramp pump to full speed if readings remain steady and note start time in the log.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCcontrol panelsjob descriptions
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Coordinate work activities with others
+Coordinate today’s maintenance tasks between shift A and contractors: send the work list to foreman Lee,…
Coordinate work activities with others
+Coordinate today’s maintenance tasks between shift A and contractors: send the work list to foreman Lee, confirm access windows for Crane 2 at 1400–1600, ensure isolation tags are attached, and request the safety officer to brief crews at 1300.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
+Check the inlet and outlet meter reads against the expected run schedule, confirm each meter register is…
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
+Check the inlet and outlet meter reads against the expected run schedule, confirm each meter register is incrementing while product flows, tag any meter that stalls or shows a leak pattern, and notify maintenance if repair is needed today.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAO*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.
+At 0700, 1100, 1500 and 1900 walk the route and read the automatic gauge displays, calculate instantaneous…
Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
+At 0700, 1100, 1500 and 1900 walk the route and read the automatic gauge displays, calculate instantaneous flow rates and tank volumes, log any deviations over two percent, and escalate persistent variances to the shift lead.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsO*NET
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Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
+Lower the calibrated thermometer into each storage tank, hold until stabilized, record the temperature for…
Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
+Lower the calibrated thermometer into each storage tank, hold until stabilized, record the temperature for the top, middle and bottom points, note any stratification, and report readings above the action threshold to chemistry.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCO*NET
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Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
+Compile today's instrument readings, lab sample results and shift notes into the daily operating sheet, flag…
Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
+Compile today's instrument readings, lab sample results and shift notes into the daily operating sheet, flag any out-of-spec values, attach the lab reports, and circulate the file to the operations supervisor by 2000.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
+Inspect the pipeline run from pump 2 to tank 4, tighten any loose fittings to spec, lubricate valve stems…
Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
+Inspect the pipeline run from pump 2 to tank 4, tighten any loose fittings to spec, lubricate valve stems showing stiffness, record torque applied and parts used, and log defects needing parts for tomorrow's maintenance.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
+Take the lab concentrations and instrument readings, apply the standard formulas to compute corrected test…
Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
+Take the lab concentrations and instrument readings, apply the standard formulas to compute corrected test values, enter the results into the daily report, and highlight any calculations that change pass/fail status for immediate review.
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
+Inspect the pump skid serving Unit 3, verify suction and discharge pressures are within spec, log oil…
Tend pumps that keep the circulation of oil and derived products running smoothly
+Inspect the pump skid serving Unit 3, verify suction and discharge pressures are within spec, log oil temperature and vibration readings, replace the failed seal on pump P-312 if leaks persist, then update the pump maintenance log before shift end.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCESCO
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Monitor the flow within the pipes at a refinery
+Walk the pipe runs on the north header, confirm flow rates and pressure differentials at the three meter…
Monitor the flow within the pipes at a refinery
+Walk the pipe runs on the north header, confirm flow rates and pressure differentials at the three meter stations match the control-room targets, flag any excursions over 5 percent, tag the location and notify the control engineer with readings and photos.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAESCO
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Test the equipment to ensure minimum disruptions
+Run the morning equipment test sequence on critical valves and pumps, record pass/fail for each item, isolate…
Test the equipment to ensure minimum disruptions
+Run the morning equipment test sequence on critical valves and pumps, record pass/fail for each item, isolate and bench-test any unit that fails, and schedule repairs so the turnaround team can start before Friday.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsESCO
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Work from a highly automated control room
+Staff the automated control room for the 0700–1900 shift, monitor alarm queues and interlocks, respond to any…
Work from a highly automated control room
+Staff the automated control room for the 0700–1900 shift, monitor alarm queues and interlocks, respond to any manual intervention requests, and hold the line while the upstream unit brings pressure back to setpoint.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAProgrammable logic controller PLCESCO
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Report as called for
+Prepare the daily operations report: include start/stop events, two biggest deviations from normal, actions…
Report as called for
+Prepare the daily operations report: include start/stop events, two biggest deviations from normal, actions taken, and total circulated volume; email the report to the operations manager and the shift supervisor by 1800.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Inventory tracking
+Count morning food stock, note expired sauces and the shortage of medium cups, update the inventory tracking…
Inventory tracking
+Count morning food stock, note expired sauces and the shortage of medium cups, update the inventory tracking for Drive Thru Lane 2, include sales variance from last night, and print the pick list for the afternoon restock.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Inventory tracking
+count product bins, record wastage and received stock in the inventory tracking for the 11:00 shift, note…
Inventory tracking
+count product bins, record wastage and received stock in the inventory tracking for the 11:00 shift, note smoothie and sandwich item sell-through, and list shortages to relay to the manager before the lunch rush.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*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