Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in West Virginia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in West Virginia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$83,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.34
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $96,710
State Rank
#23 of 42
330 employed here

How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make in West Virginia?

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $83,910 per year, or about $40.34 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $96,710 for this occupation.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $72,430 while the top 10% make $97,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,090 and $89,570 a year.

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$72,430$34.82
25th percentile (early career)$81,090$38.99
50th percentile (median)$83,910$40.34
75th percentile (experienced)$89,570$43.06
90th percentile (top earners)$97,400$46.83

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 23rd out of 42 states and territories for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$124,530
2Louisiana$106,640
3Utah$105,980
4Ohio$105,150
5New Jersey$104,540

Working as Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in West Virginia

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 West Virginia pay ($83,910) 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 West Virginia?
The median Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in West Virginia is $83,910 per year, or about $40.34 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $72,430 at the entry level to $97,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers about 13% less than the national median of $96,710. West Virginia ranks 23rd out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $83,910 a year. About 330 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.