South Carolina Median
$58,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-40% vs US median
US median $96,710
State Rank
#40 of 42
70 employed here
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make in South Carolina?
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $58,160 per year, or about $27.96 per hour. That is 40% below the national median of $96,710 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $24,880 while the top 10% make $96,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,870 and $79,070 a year.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,880 | $11.96 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,870 | $19.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,160 | $27.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $79,070 | $38.01 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,140 | $46.22 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 40th 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 $80,060Kentucky $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 $58,970Georgia $57,180Connecticut $56,880
Working as Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in South 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 South Carolina pay ($58,160) 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 South Carolina?
The median Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in South Carolina is $58,160 per year, or about $27.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,880 at the entry level to $96,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers about 40% less than the national median of $96,710. South Carolina ranks 40th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,160 a year. About 70 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.