California Median
$57,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $61,770
State Rank
#26 of 37
1,220 employed here
How much does a Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers make in California?
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in California take home a median of $57,660 annually — roughly $27.72 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $61,770.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $36,470 while the top 10% make $86,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,550 and $73,880 a year.
Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,470 | $17.53 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,550 | $21.42 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $73,880 | $35.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,390 | $41.53 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 26th out of 37 states and territories for Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in other states
Illinois $92,310North Dakota $81,400Alaska $80,210Wyoming $77,820Connecticut $71,890Montana $71,770Michigan $69,540Alabama $66,890Virginia $66,500New Jersey $64,990Ohio $64,700Louisiana $64,110Georgia $64,050Texas $61,770Mississippi $61,670Utah $61,590West Virginia $61,450Pennsylvania $60,660Indiana $60,620Wisconsin $60,320Idaho $60,200Minnesota $59,700Florida $59,120New Mexico $58,920Nevada $57,980Washington $57,030Oregon $54,540Tennessee $52,120Maine $51,370New York $48,010Oklahoma $46,900Colorado $46,680Kentucky $46,600Nebraska $46,170North Carolina $45,890Missouri $44,650
Working as a Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers in California
Nationally, about 10,000 people work as Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($57,660) 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 does a Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers make in California?
The median Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in California is $57,660 per year, or about $27.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,470 at the entry level to $86,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers about 7% less than the national median of $61,770. California ranks 26th out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,660 a year. About 1,220 Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers are employed in California. 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 California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers 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.