Kentucky Median
$78,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $96,710
State Rank
#27 of 42
520 employed here
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make in Kentucky?
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $78,670 per year, or about $37.82 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $96,710 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $50,540 while the top 10% make $106,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,960 and $106,780 a year.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,540 | $24.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $63,960 | $30.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,670 | $37.82 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $106,780 | $51.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,810 | $51.35 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 27th 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 $103,620California $103,250Illinois $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 $80,060Maryland $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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($78,670) 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 Kentucky?
The median Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Kentucky is $78,670 per year, or about $37.82 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,540 at the entry level to $106,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers about 19% less than the national median of $96,710. Kentucky ranks 27th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $78,670 a year. About 520 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.