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Pipeline operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, pipeline operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for pipeline operators is high school diploma with 30% graduates, with only 28% pipeline operator graduates earning bachelor's degree. Pipeline operators who decided to graduate from college often finish Pennsylvania State University or Lamar University. Some good skills to have in this position include dot, pipeline operations and scrubbers.

What education do you need to become a pipeline operator?

What degree do you need to be a pipeline operator?

The most common degree for pipeline operators is high school diploma, with 30% of pipeline operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 28% and bachelor's degree degree at 26%.
  • High School Diploma, 30%
  • Bachelor's, 28%
  • Associate, 26%
  • Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a pipeline operator?

You should major in business to become a pipeline operator. 21% of pipeline operators major in business. Other common majors for a pipeline operator include general studies and criminal justice.

Best majors for pipeline operators

20 best online courses for pipeline operators

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1. Building Batch Pipelines in Cloud Data Fusion

coursera

This is a self-paced lab that takes place in the Google Cloud console. This lab will teach you how to use the Pipeline Studio in Cloud Data Fusion to build an ETL pipeline. Pipeline Studio exposes the building blocks and built-in plugins for you to build your batch pipeline, one node at a time. You will also use the Wrangler plugin to build and apply transformations to your data that goes through the pipeline...

2. Building Realtime Pipelines in Cloud Data Fusion

coursera

This is a self-paced lab that takes place in the Google Cloud console. In addition to batch pipelines, Data Fusion also allows you to create real-time pipelines, that can process events as they are generated. Currently, realtime pipelines execute using Apache Spark Streaming on Cloud Dataproc clusters. In this lab, you will learn how to build a streaming pipeline using Data Fusion...

3. Rotating Equipment Masterclass: Pumps & Compressors

udemy
4.6
(305)

A compelete understanding of pumps & compressors used in process industries for a successful operation of your facility...

4. Flow of fluids through piping systems , valves and pumps

udemy
4.3
(883)

Learn to size valves & piping systems, calculate pressure drop, flow of liquids & gases through pipe , fittings & valves...

5. Maintenance Planning Basics

udemy
4.4
(1,042)

Understanding maintenance planning basics of successful maintenance department...

6. SAP MM Consignment and Pipeline Procurement

udemy
4.7
(287)

Consignment and Pipeline Procurement Cycle...

7. Petroleum Refining - Complete Guide to Products & Processes

udemy
4.5
(866)

Learn the most relevant Petroleum Refining Operations such as Crackers, Reformers, Alkylation for Oil & Gas...

8. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

udemy
4.5
(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

9. Valves: Principles , Operation & Designs

udemy
4.5
(658)

A complete understanding of construction details & functioning of valves for successful operation of your piping system...

10. Maintenance Management Basics

udemy
4.4
(632)

Crucial knowledge and practices for successful maintenance department...

11. Your complete guide to a successful career in Oil & Gas

udemy
4.5
(267)

6 courses in 1 : Oil Production Economics Trading Pricing Specifications Logistics Petroleum Refining and Petrochemicals...

12. 5G O-RAN (Open RAN): Architecture, Procedures And Use Cases

udemy
4.4
(790)

Path to O-RAN, RAN Functional Splits, Split 7.2x for O-RAN, O-RAN Virtualization, Non & Near RT RIC, Slicing in O-RAN...

13. Apache Airflow: The Operators Guide

udemy
4.7
(275)

Step up with Apache Airflow! Master Airflow Operators and create incredible data pipelines!...

14. Heat Exchangers: Design , Operation & Maintenance

udemy
4.5
(286)

A complete understanding of construction details , functionning and design of heat exchangers for successful operation...

15. Petroleum refining demystified - Oil & Gas industry

udemy
4.7
(397)

Distillation Isomerization Alkylation Reforming Hydrofining Fluid Catalytic Cracking Asphalts Lubricating oils and more...

16. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

udemy
4.5
(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

17. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management

udemy
4.4
(357)

Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...

18. Garnett Cross Training in the Maintenance of Oil Hydraulics

udemy
4.5
(555)

This course will prepare you to work with hydraulic systems, plan maintenance and perform troubleshooting...

19. Centrifugal compressors: Principles, Operation and design

udemy
4.8
(389)

A complete understanding of construction details and functioning of centrifugal compressors for successful operations...

20. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

udemy
4.4
(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

Average pipeline operator salary by education level

Pipeline operator education levelPipeline operator salary
High School Diploma or Less$44,929

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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