Occupations/47-5013.00
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
42%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
64%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
73%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- Mostly routine
Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- Task
Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- 02Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- 03Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- 04Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- 05Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- 06Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks4.09
- Degree of automation2.11
- Time sitting1.84
- Originality (ability)2.62
- Conflict situations2.43
- Hands-on objects/tools4.25
- Outdoors / weather5.00
- Disease exposure1.43
- Decision freedom4.16
Top abilities
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Control Precision4.00
- Arm-Hand Steadiness4.00
- Multilimb Coordination3.75
- Near Vision3.62
- Reaction Time3.50
- Hearing Sensitivity3.50
- Selective Attention3.38
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.00
- Active Listening3.38
- Writing3.00
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.75
- Science1.38
- Critical Thinking3.75
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.62
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
10 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $5,200 | 100% | 21% | 1 yr $52,107 2 yr $40,485 Associate · CIP 15.09 |
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $6,200 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $6,200 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Ridgewater College Willmar, MN · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $6,100 | 100% | 36% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $6,000 | 100% | 37% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Iowa State University Ames, IA · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $10,400 | 90% | 77% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $6,300 | 100% | 48% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Lake Superior College Duluth, MN · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $5,900 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $4,800 | 100% | 25% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Macomb Community College Warren, MI · Public | Mining Technology/Technician 15.0901 | $4,200 | 100% | 22% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |