Wellhead Pumpers
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 62%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Wellhead Pumpers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 62% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 17,990 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $69,960 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 60% for contact with people.
- Also called: Field Operator, Lease Attendant, Lease Operator, Oilfield Plant Operator.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks | 16% | 30% to 75% | |
| Gauge oil and gas production | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration | 12% | 40% to 80% | |
| Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks | 8% | 30% to 75% | |
| Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil | 7% | 30% to 75% | |
| Repair gas and oil meters and gauges | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills wellhead pumpers use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much wellhead pumpers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, low confidence.
- Go-to problem solver6/10
- Trust and reliability6/10
- Know-how about the organisation7/10
- Network and relationships3/10
- Mentoring and developing others3/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role3/10
- Calm in a crisis5/10
- Bridge between teams4/10
- Reputation and influence4/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Crane and Tower Operators61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $68,080
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $61,290
- Boilermakers59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $76,410
- Logging Equipment Operators60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $49,740
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Wellhead Pumpers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of wellhead pumpers?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of wellhead pumpers today and 62% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 53-7073.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, low confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Wellhead Pumpers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/wellhead-pumpers/