SOC 518093

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.

National Median

$97,540

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$97,540

Entry Level (10th pct)

$59,790

Experienced (90th pct)

$112,920

Total Employed

34,860

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$59,790 - $77,970
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$77,970 - $104,660
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$104,660 - $112,920

Highest Paying Locations for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers

Alaska nonmetropolitan area

$116,480

+19.4% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$115,980

+18.9% vs national

Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area

$110,550

+13.3% vs national

Tulsa, OK

$110,180

+13.0% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$107,570

+10.3% vs national

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$116,480	220
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$115,980	1,010
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$110,550	310
Tulsa, OK	$110,180	580
Vallejo, CA	$107,570	120
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$107,270	1,770
California	$107,270	3,640
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$106,360	570
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$105,860	1,590
Alaska	$105,380	280
Ohio	$104,140	720
Toledo, OH	$104,140	330
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$103,280	6,200
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$102,340	630
Kansas nonmetropolitan area	$102,200	600
Kansas	$102,200	1,030
Ogden, UT	$101,920	460
Utah	$101,920	660
Baton Rouge, LA	$101,870	670
Billings, MT	$101,720	450
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$101,340	390
New Jersey	$101,340	470
Washington	$99,690	1,030
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$99,630	210
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$98,950	200
Louisiana	$98,930	3,520
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$98,810	110
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$98,720	510
Minnesota	$98,720	570
Corpus Christi, TX	$98,370	960
Illinois	$98,240	1,100
North Dakota	$98,010	240
Texas	$97,970	12,060
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	$97,970	1,820
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$97,960	30
Montana	$97,840	570
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$97,680	50
Bellingham, WA	$96,850	390
Wyoming	$96,470	700
Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$96,340	160
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$96,080	60
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$95,750	100
Midland, TX	$95,510	330
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$94,470	250
Richmond, VA	$94,250	30
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$94,100	90
Iowa	$93,760	110
Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$92,890	570
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$91,930	210
Wichita, KS	$90,970	380

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers?

The national median annual salary for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers is $97,540, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss is Alaska nonmetropolitan area, with a median salary of $116,480.

How much can an experienced Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make?

Top-earning Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerss (90th percentile) make $112,920 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.