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.
Fixing2
Maintain and repair equipment
+Inspect the quadcopter's motors, propellers, battery contacts and fluid lines, replace the cracked prop and…
Maintain and repair equipment
+Inspect the quadcopter's motors, propellers, battery contacts and fluid lines, replace the cracked prop and corroded terminal, top up gearbox oil to spec, log parts used and final readings, and mark the drone fit for flight before 16:00 today.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Signal workers to operate pumps and valves
+Stand at the south pump house, confirm radio link with the crew, signal operator James to open valve 3 and…
Signal workers to operate pumps and valves
+Stand at the south pump house, confirm radio link with the crew, signal operator James to open valve 3 and Tom to start pump B in that order, verify oil pressure rises to 45 psi within two minutes, and report completion to control.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work20
Use automated equipment to regulate flow
+Enable the flow automation routine, set the target throughput to 120 litres per minute, monitor the feedback…
Use automated equipment to regulate flow
+Enable the flow automation routine, set the target throughput to 120 litres per minute, monitor the feedback loop until readings stabilise for five minutes, troubleshoot any sensor drift, and revert to manual if flow oscillates beyond ±10%.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAjob descriptionsO*NET
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Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
+Clamp the mechanical seals around the southern tank bank outlet valves A3 and A4, secure both bolts to torque…
Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.
+Clamp the mechanical seals around the southern tank bank outlet valves A3 and A4, secure both bolts to torque spec, verify no leakage by a five-minute oil-circulation check, then log completion on the inventory sheet and notify maintenance.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsO*NET
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Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
+Coordinate the planned shutdown of Unit 2 with the turnaround team: confirm start time Tuesday 06:00, list…
Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.
+Coordinate the planned shutdown of Unit 2 with the turnaround team: confirm start time Tuesday 06:00, list affected pump stations and permit holders, request isolation from the control room, and circulate the project schedule to the outage leads.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAO*NET
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Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
+Prepare the receipts and deliveries summary for last week: reconcile meter runs for tide tanks 5–8, calculate…
Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.
+Prepare the receipts and deliveries summary for last week: reconcile meter runs for tide tanks 5–8, calculate net volumes after temperature correction, produce a two-line summary of discrepancies for accounting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Monitor process indicators, gauges, and meters
+Monitor the process indicators for the east pipeline: watch pressure, flow and temperature gauges for 30…
Monitor process indicators, gauges, and meters
+Monitor the process indicators for the east pipeline: watch pressure, flow and temperature gauges for 30 minutes, flag any drift beyond normal bands, take screenshots of anomalous trends and send them to the process engineer.
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 open upstream valve V7 when tank levels are confirmed and oil circulation checked; confirm…
Start pumps and open valves
+Start pump P12 and open upstream valve V7 when tank levels are confirmed and oil circulation checked; confirm pump run-up within 60 seconds, monitor bearing temps for five minutes, and record the start event in the control log.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsjob descriptions
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Coordinate work activities with others
+Coordinate work activities with the mechanical crew on the dock: confirm who will isolate lines, agree a…
Coordinate work activities with others
+Coordinate work activities with the mechanical crew on the dock: confirm who will isolate lines, agree a two-hour window starting 09:00 Thursday, check permits and spare parts availability, and update the daily workboard for the shift leads.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Tend pumps that keep the circulation of oil and derived products running smoothly
+Inspect the pump skids at Unit 3, fly the drone over each pump bay, record vibration and temperature…
Tend pumps that keep the circulation of oil and derived products running smoothly
+Inspect the pump skids at Unit 3, fly the drone over each pump bay, record vibration and temperature readings, confirm suction and discharge pressures hold within spec, and tag any unit that needs hands-on repair before the next turnaround.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCcontrol panelsESCO
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Monitor the flow within the pipes at a refinery
+Fly the pipeline corridor between Tank Farm B and CDU, use the drone camera to verify flow indicators and…
Monitor the flow within the pipes at a refinery
+Fly the pipeline corridor between Tank Farm B and CDU, use the drone camera to verify flow indicators and pigging points, cross-check abnormal flow alarms against the trending screens, and log any sections with erratic velocity or leaks for immediate isolation.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAESCO
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Test the equipment to ensure minimum disruptions
+Run the pre-shift test sequence on the compressor and metering skids, exercise actuators and shutdown logic,…
Test the equipment to ensure minimum disruptions
+Run the pre-shift test sequence on the compressor and metering skids, exercise actuators and shutdown logic, capture the pass/fail results and anomaly notes, and schedule corrective maintenance if any interlocks fail the minimum disruption criteria.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsProgrammable logic controller PLCESCO
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Work from a highly automated control room
+Manage the automated control room during the night shift: supervise running units from the operator stations,…
Work from a highly automated control room
+Manage the automated control room during the night shift: supervise running units from the operator stations, respond to any automatic trips or deviation alarms, coordinate with field techs for required manual interventions, and keep the process within safe operating envelopes.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAcontrol panelsESCO
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Report as called for
+Prepare the incident report after the midday feedstock switch: compile timeline of alarms and operator…
Report as called for
+Prepare the incident report after the midday feedstock switch: compile timeline of alarms and operator actions, attach key screenshots and drone footage, quantify lost throughput and corrective hours, and send the report to the operations manager and reliability lead by end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
+Check that incoming and outgoing product register on the correct meters, walk the meter run to confirm each…
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
+Check that incoming and outgoing product register on the correct meters, walk the meter run to confirm each meter tag, verify signal continuity and zero flow on the same meter when pumps are stopped, and log any discrepancies for repair before the next transfer.
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.
+Read the automatic gauges on tanks and sum flow readings at 0600, 1200 and 1800 today to determine rate into…
Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
+Read the automatic gauges on tanks and sum flow readings at 0600, 1200 and 1800 today to determine rate into and out of each tank, note any suspect jumps, and flag tanks below minimum for immediate hold on receipts.
The tools that do the workSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADAInventory trackingO*NET
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Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
+Lower the wetted thermometer into Tank 4 and Tank 7, wait five minutes for stable reading, record temperature…
Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.
+Lower the wetted thermometer into Tank 4 and Tank 7, wait five minutes for stable reading, record temperature to the log with time and probe ID, and report any reading outside 10–60°C to operations for heating or cooling action.
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.
+Compile today’s instrument readings, lab analysis slips and operating notes into a single operating report:…
Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
+Compile today’s instrument readings, lab analysis slips and operating notes into a single operating report: enter meter totals, tank inventories and sample results, highlight out-of-spec lab values, and email the compiled report to Operations and Lab by 1700.
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 House A to Tank Farm B, torque any loose flange bolts to spec, lubricate…
Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.
+Inspect the pipeline run from Pump House A to Tank Farm B, torque any loose flange bolts to spec, lubricate valve stems showing stiffness, and photograph any corroded joints for maintenance work order submission.
The tools that do the workcontrol panelsO*NET
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Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
+Calculate the sample test results using the standard formulas: convert gravities to API, apply concentration…
Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.
+Calculate the sample test results using the standard formulas: convert gravities to API, apply concentration dilution factors, compute percent error versus standard, and append the calculation steps and final values to the lab result sheet.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Inventory tracking
+complete the inventory tracking from today's flights: list batteries checked, record prop spares issued to…
Inventory tracking
+complete the inventory tracking from today's flights: list batteries checked, record prop spares issued to Liam, note drone SNs taken offline, and attach incident note about gusts at West Park before closing the log
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Inventory tracking
+After the survey flight, upload the battery cycles, parts used, and package counts and update the inventory…
Inventory tracking
+After the survey flight, upload the battery cycles, parts used, and package counts and update the inventory tracking for the drone hangar, flag missing spares and send a parts request to Maintenance Lead Sohail by 6pm.
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