How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make?
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earn a median annual salary of $96,710 in the United States, which works out to roughly $46.50 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $57,110 at the entry level and $115,880 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $77,510 and $106,320 a year.
That is $35,320 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary range by percentile
Half of all Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earn between $77,510 and $106,320 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,110 | $27.46 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,510 | $37.26 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,710 | $46.50 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $106,320 | $51.12 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,880 | $55.71 |
Highest-paying states for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Alaska leads the country for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay at $124,530 a year, followed by Louisiana ($106,640) and Utah ($105,980). At the other end, Connecticut posts the lowest median at $56,880 — a gap of $67,650 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $124,530 | $59.87 | +29% |
| 2 | Louisiana | $106,640 | $51.27 | +10% |
| 3 | Utah | $105,980 | $50.95 | +10% |
| 4 | Ohio | $105,150 | $50.55 | +9% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $104,540 | $50.26 | +8% |
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 42 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 33,000 people work as Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $90,630 — below the median, unusual for salaried roles. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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