How to hire a pipeline operator

How to hire a pipeline operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pipeline operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pipeline operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pipeline operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the pipeline operator you need to hire. Certain pipeline operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A pipeline operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pipeline operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents pipeline operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Pipeline Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Pipeline Operator		$14-32
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Process Operator	A process operator's role is to supervise all production operations in a manufacturing plant or similar setting. To ensure the efficiency and safety of the workforce and the workload, a process operator must regularly conduct inspections on the manufacturing processes and provide an assessment of the employees' progress... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOT
   • Pipeline Operations
   • Scrubbers
   • Emergency Situations
   • Dehydration
   • Cathodic Protection
   • Compressor Stations
   • Crude Oil
   • Flow Rates
   • Pump Stations
   • Gas
   • Pipeline System
   • Measurement Facilities
   • Emergency Response

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage smart pig cleaning and maintenance schedule for all assign areas of responsibility.
   • Calibrate pressure switches on oil pipelines including relief valve systems.
   • Repair and rebuild pipeline valves, troubleshoot, repair and operate PLC.
   • Start up and shut down of gas compressors, troubleshoot compressor, keep daily logs of compressor readings.
   • Contribute to the distillation of crude oil through high temperature fractional distillation and ensure safe and reliable operations are perform.
   • Used Scada resources on a daily basis.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pipeline operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A pipeline operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, pipeline operators' average salary in wyoming is 26% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pipeline operators 56% less than senior-level pipeline operators.
   • Certifications. A pipeline operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a pipeline operator's salary.

   Average pipeline operator salary

   $46,175yearly

   $22.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pipeline operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a pipeline operator job description

   A job description for a pipeline operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a pipeline operator job description:

   Pipeline operator job description example

   Be part of the change. Join a team of creative minds transforming local communities. At California State University San Bernardino, the Office of Pre-College Programs (OPP) is breaking down cultural barriers creating equitable solutions for education. OPP is seeking an approachable individual able to develop programs and convey novel ideas to a diverse group of professionals. The VISTA will coordinate the development of a K-12 pipeline for hearing impaired/deaf students in the Inland Empire and plan the development of an affinity center at CSUSB. The purpose of the project will be to create a high school to postsecondary education pipeline for hearing-impaired students, as well as to establish an affinity center at CSUSB to provide opportunities for community building, networking and career development. The project will establish a partnership between the Riverside School for the Deaf, the CSUSB Office of Pre-College Programs and CSUSB Students with Disabilities (SSD). The intention of this partnership will be to provide support to prospective college students by developing opportunities to build community amongst other deaf students throughout the region. Additionally, although CSUSB provides support services, there is no designated space on campus where students with disabilities can build community and a sense of belonging. Furthermore, although 90% of deaf students who attend CSUSB are on the Dean's List, many of them struggle to find employment. An affinity center will be developed to build community and support, and serve as a space for career development workshops. Employers will be invited to talk to students about employment opportunities and their commitment to full inclusion. Further help on this page can be found by clicking here.
   
   Member Duties : Establish partnerships and pipeline of support services. Create a database of organizations and individual representatives of services or interest areas in regards to supporting the Deaf student community. Develop an Affinity Center and provide linkages to employers. Develop a campaign to provide community education and promote services. Identify or develop best practices materials and curriculum for mentoring and parent engagement of Deaf students. Develop a plan to convene prospective and current students and families quarterly beginning in the summer months to provide opportunities to build relationships so that they can enter post-secondary with a network of supports.
   
   Program Benefits : Stipend , Health Coverage* , Training , Living Allowance , Education award upon successful completion of service , Relocation Allowance , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Childcare assistance if eligible .
   Terms :
   
   Permits attendance at school during off hours , Car recommended , Permits working at another job during off hours .
   
   Service Areas :
   
   Education , Community and Economic Development , Children/Youth , Community Outreach .
   
   Skills :
   
   Recruitment , Education , Social Services , Leadership , Youth Development , Team Work , General Skills , Community Organization .

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right pipeline operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with pipeline operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit pipeline operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pipeline operator job on Zippia to find and recruit pipeline operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit pipeline operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pipeline operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect pipeline operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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