How much does a wellhead pumper make?
The median wellhead pumper in the United States earns $69,960 per year, about $33.63 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all wellhead pumpers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-7073.
Wellhead pumper salary range
Pay for wellhead pumpers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,100 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,170. The average (mean) wage of $70,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,100 | $21.20 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,330 | $25.16 | |
| Median (50th) | $69,960 | $33.63 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $82,200 | $39.52 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,170 | $47.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for wellhead pumpers (SOC 53-7073), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Wellhead pumper salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Wellhead pumpers earn the most in North Dakota at $79,820 a year, and the least in Pennsylvania at $45,490. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $79,820 | 1,540 |
| New Mexico | $78,010 | 1,060 |
| Louisiana | $76,930 | 110 |
| Texas | $75,860 | 10,250 |
| Colorado | $72,700 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $64,650 | 90 |
| California | $64,430 | 160 |
| Mississippi | $62,560 | 80 |
| Kansas | $62,400 | 620 |
| Oklahoma | $61,380 | 770 |
| Utah | $59,970 | 130 |
| Montana | $57,830 | 90 |
| Wyoming | $57,200 | 490 |
| West Virginia | $52,170 | 660 |
| Illinois | $51,440 | 240 |
| New York | $48,980 | 50 |
| Michigan | $47,630 | 210 |
| Ohio | $46,750 | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,490 | 640 |
State median wages for wellhead pumpers (SOC 53-7073), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for wellhead pumpers
The BLS projects employment of wellhead pumpers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 18,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 18,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,700 openings a year for wellhead pumpers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a wellhead pumper
The typical entry-level education for wellhead pumpers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a wellhead pumper earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (North Dakota, $79,820) and the lowest (Pennsylvania, $45,490) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 17,990 people work as wellhead pumpers in the United States. At $69,960 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Wellhead pumper salary FAQ
How much does a wellhead pumper make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a wellhead pumper is $33.63. The middle half of wellhead pumpers earn between $25.16 and $39.52 per hour.
What is the highest wellhead pumper salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of wellhead pumpers earn more than $98,170 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a wellhead pumper make a year?
The median annual salary for a wellhead pumper is $69,960. The average (mean) wage of $70,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a wellhead pumper a well paid job?
At $69,960 a year, a wellhead pumper earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 17,990 people work as wellhead pumpers in the United States.
Which state pays wellhead pumpers the most?
North Dakota has the highest median salary for wellhead pumpers at $79,820 a year. New Mexico ($78,010) and Louisiana ($76,930) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a wellhead pumper a good career?
Employment of wellhead pumpers is projected to shrink 2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a wellhead pumper?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for wellhead pumpers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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