Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Production Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 51-8093.00
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.041
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.29
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only24 rated tasks · 9 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (37.5%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.51-8093.00 | 0.0032100.0 | —0 |
Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses. | —0 | 0.0160100.0 |
| Not observed on any surface — 22 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | ||
Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems. | —0 | —0 |
Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks. | —0 | —0 |
Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery. | —0 | —0 |
Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules. | —0 | —0 |
Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures. | —0 | —0 |
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly. | —0 | —0 |
Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks. | —0 | —0 |
Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment. | —0 | —0 |
Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities. | —0 | —0 |
Read and analyze specifications, schedules, logs, test results, and laboratory recommendations to determine how to set equipment controls to produce the required qualities and quantities of products. | —0 | —0 |
Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products. | —0 | —0 |
Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations. | —0 | —0 |
Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled. | —0 | —0 |
Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples. | —0 | —0 |
Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary. | —0 | —0 |
Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties. | —0 | —0 |
Coordinate shutdowns and major projects. | —0 | —0 |
Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers. | —0 | —0 |
Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products. | —0 | —0 |
Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings. | —0 | —0 |
Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units. | —0 | —0 |
Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks. | —0 | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.O*NET Task ID 14324 | 1.0 |
Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.O*NET Task ID 14328 | 1.0 |
Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.O*NET Task ID 14305 | 0.5 |
Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.O*NET Task ID 14311 | 0.5 |
Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.O*NET Task ID 14313 | 0.5 |
Read and analyze specifications, schedules, logs, test results, and laboratory recommendations to determine how to set equipment controls to produce the required qualities and quantities of products.O*NET Task ID 14314 | 0.5 |
Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.O*NET Task ID 14315 | 0.5 |
Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.O*NET Task ID 14322 | 0.5 |
Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers.O*NET Task ID 14323 | 0.5 |
Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.O*NET Task ID 14306 | 0.0 |
Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.O*NET Task ID 14307 | 0.0 |
Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.O*NET Task ID 14308 | 0.0 |
Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.O*NET Task ID 14309 | 0.0 |
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.O*NET Task ID 14310 | 0.0 |
Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.O*NET Task ID 14312 | 0.0 |
Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.O*NET Task ID 14316 | 0.0 |
Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations.O*NET Task ID 14317 | 0.0 |
Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.O*NET Task ID 14318 | 0.0 |
Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.O*NET Task ID 14319 | 0.0 |
Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.O*NET Task ID 14320 | 0.0 |
Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.O*NET Task ID 14321 | 0.0 |
Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.O*NET Task ID 14325 | 0.0 |
Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units.O*NET Task ID 14326 | 0.0 |
Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.O*NET Task ID 14327 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (24)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems. | Core |
| Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks. | Core |
| Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery. | Core |
| Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules. | Core |
| Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures. | Core |
| Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly. | Core |
| Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks. | Core |
| Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment. | Core |
| Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities. | Core |
| Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses. | Core |
| Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products. | Core |
| Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations. | Core |
| Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled. | Core |
| Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples. | Core |
| Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary. | Core |
| Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties. | Core |
| Read and analyze specifications, schedules, logs, test results, and laboratory recommendations to determine how to set equipment controls to produce the required qualities and quantities of products. | Supplemental |
| Coordinate shutdowns and major projects. | Supplemental |
| Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers. | Supplemental |
| Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products. | Supplemental |
| Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings. | Supplemental |
| Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units. | Supplemental |
| Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks. | Supplemental |
| Calculate test result values, using standard formulas. | Supplemental |
0.92/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems. | E2 structured facilities |
| Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks. | E2 structured facilities |
| Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks. | E2 structured facilities |
| Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations. | E2 structured facilities |
| Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled. | E0 none |
| Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 33K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 32K
- Change (2025–35)
- -1.9%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $96,710
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83112 | 석유 및 천연가스 정제 장치 조작원 | Same scope | confirmed |
| 83113 | 폐유 및 재생유 처리 장치 조작원 | Overlapping, not the same | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3134Petroleum and Natural Gas Refining Plant Operators
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- gaugerESCO 8131.8This occupation is broader
Gaugers test oil during the processing and before dispatch. They control pumping systems and regulate the flow of oil into the pipelines.
- oil refinery control room operatorESCO 3134.3This occupation is broader
Oil refinery control room operators perform a range of tasks from the control room of an oil refinery. They monitor the processes through electronic representations shown on monitors, dials, and lights. Control room operators make changes to variables and communicate with other departments to make sure processes keep running smoothly and according to established procedures. They take appropriate actions in case of irregularities or emergencies.
- petroleum pump system operatorESCO 3134.4This occupation is broader
Petroleum pump system operators tend pumps that keep the circulation of oil and derived products running smoothly. They monitor the flow within the pipes at a refinery and test the equipment to ensure minimum disruptions. Pump systems operators work from a highly automated control room, where they communicate with other workers to coordinate pump activities. Pump system operators undertake minor repairs and maintenance, and report as called for.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H2711 | Opérateur / Opératrice consoliste en raffinerie | Same scopeprovisional |
| F1211 | Responsable d'exploitation de gisements pétrole et gaz | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| K1723 | Opérateur / Opératrice d'exploitation et de maintenance pétrolières de l'Armée | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3134 | Técnicos de refinerías de petróleo y gas natural | Same scope |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 41312 | Berufe in der Chemie- und Pharmatechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 41343 | Steuerer/Steuerinnen von Erdöl- und Erdgasraffinationsanlagen - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 化学製品生産設備制御・監視員 | This occupation is narrower |
| 531 | 化学製品製造従事者 | Related, not a match |
| 644 | ポンプ・ブロワー・コンプレッサー運転従事者 | Related, not a match |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources