AI exposure score

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers score 20 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #641 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 24 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 2 on its own and 7 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

20/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #641of 923 jobs
US workers: 33,160BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $96,710a year
In real AI use: 1 of 24tasks, April–May 2026

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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 (8%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 7 (29%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 15 (63%)

Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Calculate test result values, using standard formulas.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Read automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of system interconnections and capacities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Read and analyze specifications, schedules, logs, test results, and laboratory recommendations to determine how to set equipment controls to produce the required qualities and quantities of products.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Coordinate shutdowns and major projects.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Perform tests to check the qualities and grades of products, such as assessing levels of bottom sediment, water, and foreign materials in oil samples, using centrifugal testers.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Operate auxiliary equipment and control multiple processing units during distilling or treating operations, moving controls that regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Synchronize activities with other pumphouses to ensure a continuous flow of products and a minimum of contamination between products.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Patrol units to monitor the amount of oil in storage tanks, and to verify that activities and operations are safe, efficient, and in compliance with regulations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Inspect pipelines, tightening connections and lubricating valves as necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Lower thermometers into tanks to obtain temperature readings.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Clean interiors of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents within units.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Clamp seals around valves to secure tanks.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers and AI

Will AI replace petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers score 20 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #641 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 9 of the job's 24 tasks, 2 of them on its own, while 15 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Prepare calculations for receipts and deliveries of oil and oil products"; "Calculate test result values, using standard formulas".

Which petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks"; "Control or operate manifold and pumping systems to circulate liquids through a petroleum refinery"; "Operate control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 24 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers, and what do they earn?

About 33,160 people in the US, with median pay of $96,710 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.