Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 53-7072.00
Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
- 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
0.000
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
0.27–0.29· 2 ISCO-08 groups
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.
ILO value for each linked ISCO-08 group
- ISCO-08 3132Incinerator and Water Treatment Plant Operators0.27
- ISCO-08 3134Petroleum and Natural Gas Refining Plant Operators0.29
Task-level exposure
14 rated tasks · 4 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (28.6%)
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 30.2) | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.53-7072.00 | 0.00000.0 |
| Not observed on any surface — 13 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. | |
Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times. | —0 |
Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances. | —0 |
Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts. | —0 |
Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials. | —0 |
Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage. | —0 |
Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped. | —0 |
Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment. | —0 |
Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools. | —0 |
Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment. | —0 |
Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis. | —0 |
Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers. | —0 |
Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met. | —0 |
Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures. | —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 |
|---|---|
Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.O*NET Task ID 14610 | 1.0 |
Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.O*NET Task ID 14615 | 1.0 |
Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.O*NET Task ID 14609 | 0.5 |
Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.O*NET Task ID 14614 | 0.5 |
Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.O*NET Task ID 14611 | 0.0 |
Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts.O*NET Task ID 14612 | 0.0 |
Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.O*NET Task ID 14613 | 0.0 |
Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.O*NET Task ID 14616 | 0.0 |
Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis.O*NET Task ID 14617 | 0.0 |
Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.O*NET Task ID 14618 | 0.0 |
Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers.O*NET Task ID 14619 | 0.0 |
Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.O*NET Task ID 14620 | 0.0 |
Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.O*NET Task ID 14621 | 0.0 |
Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.O*NET Task ID 14622 | 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 (14)
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 gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary. | Core |
| Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times. | Core |
| Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances. | Core |
| Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts. | Core |
| Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials. | Core |
| Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage. | Core |
| Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped. | Core |
| Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment. | Core |
| Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools. | Core |
| Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment. | Core |
| Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis. | Supplemental |
| Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers. | Supplemental |
| Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met. | Supplemental |
| Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures. | Supplemental |
1.21/ 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 gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary. | E2 structured facilities |
| Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts. | E2 structured facilities |
| Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials. | E2 structured facilities |
| Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures. | E2 structured facilities |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 10K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 10K
- Change (2025–35)
- +4.3%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $61,770
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88101 | 펌프 장치 조작원 | This occupation is broader | 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 3132Incinerator and Water Treatment Plant Operators
- 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.
- pipeline pump operatorESCO 8113.4Same scope
Pipeline pump operators tend pump equipment and systems to transfer liquids and substances (e.g. such as chemical solutions, crude oil, gases, and others) from one point to the next. They operate hoses, pumps, and other equipment according to the good to be transferred. They ensure smooth circulation and flow of the goods in the pipelines.
- 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.
- dewatering technicianESCO 8111.1Overlapping, not the same
Dewatering technicians install and operate pumps, spares, pipe ranges, and vacuum dewatering systems to collect and remove liquids and chemicals.
- gas station operatorESCO 3133.1.5Overlapping, not the same
Gas station operators process gases for compression, transmission or recovery by using gas, steam or electric engine compressors. They perform chemical tests on gases and are responsible for pumps and pipelines operations.
- gaugerESCO 8131.8Overlapping, not the same
Gaugers test oil during the processing and before dispatch. They control pumping systems and regulate the flow of oil into the pipelines.
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 | Related, not a match |
| K1723 | Opérateur / Opératrice d'exploitation et de maintenance pétrolières de l'Armée | Related, not a match |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3132 | Técnicos en instalaciones de tratamiento de residuos, de aguas y otros operadores en plantas similares | Related, not a match |
| 3133 | Técnicos en control de instalaciones de procesamiento de productos químicos | Related, not a match |
| 3134 | Técnicos de refinerías de petróleo y gas natural | Related, not a match |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 41333 | Steuerer/Steuerinnen von chemischen Verfahrensanlagen - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| 41343 | Steuerer/Steuerinnen von Erdöl- und Erdgasraffinationsanlagen - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| 34312 | Berufe in der Wasserversorgungs- und Abwassertechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 41312 | Berufe in der Chemie- und Pharmatechnik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 644 | ポンプ・ブロワー・コンプレッサー運転従事者 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 646 | 採油・天然ガス採取機械運転従事者 | Related, not a matchprovisional |
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