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What is a lease operator and how to become one
A lease operator manages and maintains oil and gas production equipment on a leased property. They are responsible for monitoring and controlling the flow of oil and gas, performing routine maintenance on equipment, troubleshooting and repairing any malfunctions, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Lease operators work independently or as part of a team, and are often required to work long hours in remote locations. This job requires physical stamina, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills.
Avg. Salary $25,625
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate -7%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 2.23%
Asian 1.22%
Black or African American 9.69%
Hispanic or Latino 21.20%
Unknown 4.20%
White 61.46%
Genderfemale 6.49%
male 93.51%
Age - 39American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 39Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a Lease Operator?
Pros
More control over your schedule and routes
Ability to choose your equipment
Opportunity to build your own business
Potential tax benefits
Possibility of building a long-term customer base
Cons
Responsibility for all expenses, including maintenance, repairs, fuel, and insurance
Risk of a financial loss if the business is slow or equipment breaks down
Increased risk of liability in case of accidents or damage to cargo
Potential for conflicts with carriers over rates and terms of the lease agreement
Lack of benefits such as health insurance or retirement plans
Lease Operator career paths
Key steps to become a lease operator
Explore lease operator education requirements
Start to develop specific lease operator skills
Skills 
Percentages OTR 12.73% CDL 10.76% Tractor Trailer 9.34% Production Equipment 8.95% Oil Gas 3.94% Complete relevant lease operator training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lease operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lease operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lease operator resumes.Research lease operator duties and responsibilities
- Manage and maintain GPS and other equipment.
- Perform, supervise, and manage explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations.
- Manage smart pig cleaning and maintenance schedule for all assign areas of responsibility.
- Submit daily production reports using eVin data entry program, and various other reports as needed.
Prepare your lease operator resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lease operator resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lease operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Lease Operator Resume templates
Build a professional Lease Operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Lease Operator resume.
Apply for lease operator jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a lease operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Lease Operator Job
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Average lease operator salary
The average Lease Operator salary in the United States is $25,625 per year or $12 per hour. Lease operator salaries range between $5,000 and $109,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do lease operators rate their job?
Lease Operator reviews
Sitting idle with nothing to do
Where oil price drop, I don't like getting laid off and staying home. I want to stay busy.
Nothing to say this job is best for me
Updated January 8, 2025
