North Dakota Median
$93,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $96,710
State Rank
#17 of 42
950 employed here
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make in North Dakota?
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers working in North Dakota earn a median salary of $93,130 per year, or about $44.77 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $96,710 for this occupation.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $66,580 while the top 10% make $118,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,410 and $102,680 a year.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,580 | $32.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,410 | $38.66 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $93,130 | $44.77 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $102,680 | $49.37 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,280 | $56.87 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 17th 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 $93,750Iowa $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 North Dakota
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 Dakota pay ($93,130) 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 Dakota?
The median Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in North Dakota is $93,130 per year, or about $44.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,580 at the entry level to $118,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers about 4% less than the national median of $96,710. North Dakota ranks 17th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $93,130 a year. About 950 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are employed in North Dakota. 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 Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), 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.