California Median
$103,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $96,710
State Rank
#7 of 42
3,360 employed here
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make in California?
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers working in California earn a median salary of $103,250 per year, or about $49.64 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $96,710 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $72,930 while the top 10% make $128,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $96,810 and $119,200 a year.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,930 | $35.06 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $96,810 | $46.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $103,250 | $49.64 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $119,200 | $57.31 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,840 | $61.94 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 42 states and territories for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in other states
Alaska $124,530Louisiana $106,640Utah $105,980Ohio $105,150New Jersey $104,540Washington $103,620Illinois $102,890Minnesota $101,910Kansas $101,880Wyoming $100,350Montana $98,310Tennessee $96,730Oklahoma $95,140Hawaii $94,900Colorado $93,750North Dakota $93,130Iowa $90,160New York $88,880Arkansas $86,580Texas $84,100Michigan $84,030West Virginia $83,910Pennsylvania $83,870Missouri $80,960North Carolina $80,060Kentucky $78,670Maryland $78,580Mississippi $75,180New Mexico $74,340Alabama $73,510Wisconsin $71,450New Hampshire $70,050Indiana $67,420Maine $65,150Florida $63,480Nevada $62,420Arizona $60,070Virginia $58,970South Carolina $58,160Georgia $57,180Connecticut $56,880
Working as Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in California
Nationally, about 33,000 people work as Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($103,250) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make in California?
The median Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in California is $103,250 per year, or about $49.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $72,930 at the entry level to $128,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers about 7% more than the national median of $96,710. California ranks 7th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $103,250 a year. About 3,360 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.