Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 2 (14%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (14%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 10 (71%)

• Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
• Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Tend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Add chemicals and solutions to tanks to ensure that specifications are met.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Collect and deliver sample solutions for laboratory analysis.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Pump two or more materials into one tank to blend mixtures.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task