Wellhead Pumper salary in the U.S.
Wellhead Pumpers in the U.S. earn a median of $69,960 a year ($33.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,170 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $70,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for wellhead pumpers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| 25th percentile | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| Median | $69,960 | $33.63 |
| 75th percentile | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| Average (mean) | $70,370 | $33.83 |
Half of wellhead pumpers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,915 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,690.77 |
| Weekly | $1,345.38 |
| Hourly | $33.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Wellhead Pumper salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Best-paying metro areas for wellhead pumpers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $79,720 | 3,860 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $78,010 | 830 |
| Minot, ND | $77,310 | 130 |
| Amarillo, TX | $77,150 | 60 |
| Lubbock, TX | $76,850 | 200 |
| Odessa, TX | $75,450 | 330 |
| Midland, TX | $72,110 | 1,660 |
| Casper, WY | $71,540 | 60 |
| Tyler, TX | $70,590 | 90 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $64,960 | 230 |
| Longview, TX | $64,920 | 150 |
| Tulsa, OK | $64,500 | 220 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $64,010 | 50 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $63,530 | n/a |
| Farmington, NM | $63,230 | 80 |
Metro areas with the most wellhead pumpers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 3,860 | $79,720 |
| Midland, TX | 1,660 | $72,110 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 830 | $78,010 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 350 | $39,060 |
| Odessa, TX | 330 | $75,450 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 230 | $64,960 |
| Tulsa, OK | 220 | $64,500 |
| Lubbock, TX | 200 | $76,850 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 170 | $60,510 |
| Longview, TX | 150 | $64,920 |
| San Angelo, TX | 150 | $60,900 |
| Greeley, CO | 140 | $61,510 |
| Minot, ND | 130 | $77,310 |
| Tyler, TX | 90 | $70,590 |
| Farmington, NM | 80 | $63,230 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $41,220 | $19.82 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $42,420 | $20.39 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $56,450 | $27.14 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wellhead pumper make in the U.S.?
The median salary for wellhead pumpers in the U.S. is $69,960 a year, or $33.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid wellhead pumpers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of wellhead pumpers in the U.S. earn at least $98,170 a year. The top 25% earn $82,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for wellhead pumpers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,100 a year, and a quarter of wellhead pumpers earn $52,330 or less.
How many wellhead pumpers work in the U.S.?
About 17,990 wellhead pumpers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.