Construction · SOC 47-5013
Reading instruments and making physical interventions on active wells requires skilled judgment AI can only partially assist.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: AI-assisted diagnostics will augment instrument reading within 5 years, but hands-on wellhead work stays human well past 2030.
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$65,010 median pay
$59,310 median pay
$54,340 median pay
$52,240 median pay
$59,600 median pay
$78,690 median pay
AI job-risk card
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas is 26/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
26 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Preparing service and billing reports, Interpreting instrument readings to locate obstructions. Harder to automate: Installing pressure-control devices on wellheads, Safety inspections of equipment and tools, Listening to equipment for signs of malfunction, Operating controls to raise derricks and level rigs.
Lean into Well intervention techniques, Oilfield equipment safety, Instrument interpretation, Field reporting and documentation. Consider roles such as Well services supervisor or Petroleum engineering technician or Rig safety inspector.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.