How to hire a pumper

How to hire a pumper, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pumper hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a pumper, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a pumper to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a pumper that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of pumpers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Pumper	Description	Hourly rate
   Pumper		$12-29
   Lease Operator	A lease operator is responsible for inspecting the efficiency and optimal performance of equipment and machinery and measuring the oil from the operation of the wells. Lease operators report the inconsistencies and failures of the equipment for immediate repair and replacement to avoid delays and prevent potential hazards... Show more	$2-52

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Production Equipment
   • Oil Gas
   • OSHA
   • Production Facilities
   • Production Data
   • Tank Batteries
   • Surface Equipment
   • Salt Water
   • Lease Equipment
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Production Reports
   • SWD
   • Flow Rates
   • Meter Readings

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Follow all safety requirements to include PPE and filling out safety forms
   • Gauge tanks, make sure equipment is run right compressors plungers separaters.
   • Operate carwash, pump gas for customers, and operate cash register.
   • Operate PLC panels and LACT units and trouble shoot any problems that may occur.
   • Orchestrate the sale of oil and gas from truck-haul and LACT run batteries in coverage area.
   • Use AutoCad to create maps of areas to be drill including property lines and existing wells.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pumper job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A pumper salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, pumpers' average salary in colorado is 35% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pumpers earn 58% less than senior-level pumpers.
   • Certifications. A pumper with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a pumper's salary.

   Average pumper salary

   $40,543yearly

   $19.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pumper salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a pumper job description

   A job description for a pumper 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 pumper job description:

   Pumper job description example

   Job Title: Pumper/Gauger (Lease Operator)
   
   Location: Dilley, Texas to Cotulla, Texas
   
   Schedule: 8/6
   
   Pay: DOE
   
   Summary: This position is responsible for oil and gas well operations, well testing, operating and maintaining field equipment and facilities, surveillance of general field operations, and maintenance of various databases regarding production and operations.
   
   Job Duties:
   
   * Non-scheduled callouts outside normal business hours can be expected.
   * Types of well include flowing, beam pump (with electronic pump-off controller), plunger lift, water injection and water disposal.
   * Types of facilities include production tank batteries, flowlines, LACT (lease automatic custody transfer) facilities, water injection plants, natural gas compression, cathodic protection, and metering devices (electronic gas measurement and others).
   * Job is to be performed employing safe work practices while utilizing acceptable environmental procedures to maximize earnings while minimizing costs on assigned oil and gas producing properties.
   * Daily monitoring of multiple well sites by vehicle.
   * Test, calibrate, and troubleshoot equipment and mechanical problems.
   * Perform mandatory paperwork required by customers and regulatory agencies.
   * General housekeeping and field maintenance.
   
   Competencies:
   
   * Computer knowledge - Proficient utilizing MS Windows environment
   * Strong initiative and self-starter
   * Ability to keep neat and accurate records
   * Multi-task orientation with skills related to work prioritization
   * Excellent Interpersonal Communications skills in a team environment
   * General mechanical troubleshooting and repair skills
   * Ability to identify operational inefficiencies
   * Understanding of Business fundamentals
   * Ability to implement cost-effective solutions
   * Technical Skills related to math and analytical thinking
   * Understanding of Importance of environmental and Safe Work Practices
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   * Must be able to climb ladders and stairs.
   * Walking, bending, stooping is required.
   * Must be able to wear personal protective equipment including the use of a respirator.
   * Must be able to respond to visual and audible alarms.
   
   Qualifications:
   
   * Three (3) plus years of Oil & Gas onshore production operations.
   * Strong Computer Skills
   * Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as by self without direct supervision
   * High School Diploma or GED.
   * Some college or technical training preferred
   * Valid U.S. Driver's License with an acceptable driving record
   * The candidate must live within a 50-mile radius of the job site
   
   Danos offers competitive wages, sustainable health benefits, 401K company match, and opportunities for employee development.
   
   Apply today!
   
   Visit www.danos.com to complete a general application or to review additional openings.
   
   Danos is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Individual with Disability/Veteran Status
   
   * Company housing or per diem NOT provided for this position at this time.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find pumpers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with pumper candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 pumper

   Once you've decided on a perfect pumper 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new pumper first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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