North Carolina Median
$80,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $96,710
State Rank
#26 of 42
130 employed here
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make in North Carolina?
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in North Carolina take home a median of $80,060 annually — roughly $38.49 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $96,710.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $60,250 while the top 10% make $98,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,780 and $95,200 a year.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,250 | $28.97 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,780 | $31.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $80,060 | $38.49 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $95,200 | $45.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,940 | $47.57 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 26th 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 $80,960Kentucky $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($80,060) 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 North Carolina?
The median Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in North Carolina is $80,060 per year, or about $38.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,250 at the entry level to $98,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers about 17% less than the national median of $96,710. North Carolina ranks 26th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,060 a year. About 130 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.