Transportation · SOC 53-7073
Remote monitoring can track wellhead data, but field maintenance and hands-on equipment repair demand on-site workers.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: Smart sensors and IoT telemetry are automating routine wellhead monitoring; field maintenance and emergency response roles will persist for at least 8–12 years in remote well locations.
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$44,140 median pay
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AI job-risk card
Wellhead Pumpers is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Wellhead Pumpers is 25/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
25 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: Monitoring control panel readings during routine pumping, Logging daily production and pressure data, Scheduling routine equipment maintenance tasks. Harder to automate: Physically repairing gas and oil meters and gauges in the field, Performing hands-on vehicle and equipment maintenance, Responding to well anomalies and equipment failures on remote sites.
Lean into Oil field instrumentation and measurement, Remote sensing and IoT systems, Equipment maintenance and repair, Safety protocols for oil and gas operations. Consider roles such as Field instrumentation technician or Production operations supervisor or Oil and gas equipment mechanic.
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.