Wellhead Pumper Salary
Wellhead Pumpers earn a median $69,960 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What wellhead pumpers do
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.0% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,700
Employment of wellhead pumpers is projected to shrink 2.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Wellhead Pumper take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,561
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,338
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,014
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$58,047
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,100 | $21.20 | $37,614 |
| 25th percentile | $52,330 | $25.16 | $44,227 |
| Median (50th) | $69,960 | $33.63 | $58,047 |
| 75th percentile | $82,200 | $39.52 | $66,658 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,170 | $47.20 | $77,893 |
Best cities for wellhead pumpers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $79,720 | $64,913 | $65,815 | 3,860 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $79,720
Wellhead Pumper salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $79,820 | −4.3% | $64,686 | $61,530 – $98,570 | 1,540 |
| New Mexico | $78,010 | +14.4% | $61,209 | $48,240 – $98,810 | 1,060 |
| Louisiana | $76,930 | +1.6% | $61,029 | $57,210 – $80,290 | 110 |
| Texas | $75,860 | +0.4% | $62,198 | $45,090 – $97,640 | 10,250 |
| Colorado | $72,700 | +18.8% | $57,484 | $50,220 – $93,790 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $64,650 | −20.1% | $51,818 | $30,830 – $76,020 | 90 |
| California | $64,430 | +7.0% | $51,170 | $50,180 – $76,330 | 160 |
| Mississippi | $62,560 | +21.1% | $50,677 | $52,600 – $78,470 | 80 |
| Kansas | $62,400 | +3.0% | $49,636 | $43,960 – $101,500 | 620 |
| Oklahoma | $61,380 | −3.8% | $49,282 | $46,230 – $75,690 | 770 |
| Utah | $59,970 | −10.3% | $48,633 | $49,660 – $79,040 | 130 |
| Montana | $57,830 | −6.4% | $46,685 | $46,200 – $93,170 | 90 |
| Wyoming | $57,200 | −26.5% | $48,140 | $47,760 – $92,060 | 490 |
| West Virginia | $52,170 | +6.9% | $42,482 | $36,900 – $74,600 | 660 |
| Illinois | $51,440 | −13.7% | $41,111 | $36,770 – $63,770 | 240 |
| New York | $48,980 | +9.7% | $39,488 | $39,710 – $69,590 | 50 |
| Michigan | $47,630 | −13.5% | $38,677 | $43,450 – $83,720 | 210 |
| Ohio | $46,750 | −23.0% | $39,240 | $35,110 – $70,530 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,490 | +18.0% | $37,335 | $38,340 – $68,810 | 640 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator | $77,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.1% |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $56,450 | No formal educational credential | +0.2% |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 | No formal educational credential | +2.1% |
| Dredge Operator | $49,640 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.7% |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,420 | No formal educational credential | +1.5% |
| Conveyor Operator and Tender | $42,420 | No formal educational credential | -2.6% |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | No formal educational credential | +2.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wellhead pumper make?
The national median salary for wellhead pumpers is $69,960 a year ($33.63 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,100 and the top 10% earn over $98,170. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays wellhead pumpers the most?
North Dakota has the highest median pay at $79,820. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many wellhead pumpers are there in the U.S.?
About 17,990 people work as wellhead pumpers nationwide.