Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earn a median $96,710 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.9% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 2,700
Employment of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers is projected to shrink 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,446
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,996
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,402
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$76,865
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,110 | $27.46 | $48,068 |
| 25th percentile | $77,510 | $37.26 | $63,358 |
| Median (50th) | $96,710 | $46.50 | $76,865 |
| 75th percentile | $106,320 | $51.12 | $83,626 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,880 | $55.71 | $90,352 |
Best cities for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $84,100 | $67,994 | $68,940 | 5,510 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Houston, TX — $84,100
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $124,530 | +18.2% | $96,382 | $83,680 – $167,880 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $106,640 | +7.8% | $81,038 | $42,160 – $111,060 | 3,490 |
| Utah | $105,980 | +4.0% | $79,584 | $65,140 – $109,390 | 600 |
| Ohio | $105,150 | +1.0% | $80,694 | $73,840 – $107,530 | 800 |
| New Jersey | $104,540 | +3.2% | $77,905 | $79,930 – $122,800 | 420 |
| Washington | $103,620 | +3.9% | $81,727 | $76,950 – $114,980 | 930 |
| California | $103,250 | −3.7% | $74,751 | $72,930 – $128,840 | 3,360 |
| Illinois | $102,890 | +4.7% | $76,265 | $93,690 – $111,380 | 1,070 |
| Minnesota | $101,910 | +3.2% | $75,117 | $70,770 – $128,670 | 550 |
| Kansas | $101,880 | −0.3% | $75,617 | $79,250 – $109,260 | 950 |
| Wyoming | $100,350 | +4.0% | $79,426 | $69,320 – $114,040 | 560 |
| Montana | $98,310 | +0.5% | $73,797 | $75,760 – $108,160 | 550 |
| Tennessee | $96,730 | +14.7% | $76,880 | $65,380 – $105,050 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $95,140 | +5.9% | $72,025 | $74,420 – $107,170 | 1,390 |
| Hawaii | $94,900 | +8.6% | $69,910 | $71,240 – $130,310 | 280 |
| Colorado | $93,750 | +12.0% | $71,367 | $62,620 – $104,590 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $93,130 | −5.0% | $73,790 | $66,580 – $118,280 | 950 |
| Iowa | $90,160 | −3.8% | $69,483 | $61,400 – $99,760 | 70 |
| New York | $88,880 | +19.1% | $67,153 | $60,850 – $105,080 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $86,580 | +6.2% | $66,575 | $56,580 – $96,770 | 220 |
| Texas | $84,100 | −14.2% | $67,994 | $45,670 – $108,650 | 10,510 |
| Michigan | $84,030 | −3.8% | $64,625 | $57,450 – $101,820 | 180 |
| West Virginia | $83,910 | +3.4% | $64,751 | $72,430 – $97,400 | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,870 | −4.0% | $65,258 | $61,670 – $105,580 | 820 |
| Missouri | $80,960 | +3.2% | $62,918 | $59,860 – $118,760 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $80,060 | +11.1% | $62,467 | $60,250 – $98,940 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $78,670 | −1.7% | $61,538 | $50,540 – $106,810 | 520 |
| Maryland | $78,580 | −3.9% | $60,742 | $48,280 – $101,800 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $75,180 | −2.5% | $59,444 | $66,190 – $98,100 | 860 |
| New Mexico | $74,340 | +10.3% | $58,800 | $48,380 – $104,790 | 420 |
| Alabama | $73,510 | +43.4% | $57,134 | $43,950 – $93,240 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $71,450 | −14.0% | $56,689 | $64,560 – $103,060 | — |
| New Hampshire | $70,050 | — | $58,110 | $56,800 – $82,930 | 120 |
| Indiana | $67,420 | −13.0% | $54,301 | $44,260 – $104,020 | 520 |
| Maine | $65,150 | +4.7% | $51,312 | $43,470 – $92,810 | 60 |
| Florida | $63,480 | +4.4% | $53,186 | $49,920 – $97,000 | 170 |
| Nevada | $62,420 | +10.5% | $52,334 | $50,110 – $78,560 | 30 |
| Arizona | $60,070 | −18.0% | $49,153 | $38,520 – $106,360 | 180 |
| Virginia | $58,970 | −26.9% | $46,986 | $40,300 – $103,390 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $58,160 | −15.6% | $46,579 | $24,880 – $96,140 | 70 |
| Georgia | $57,180 | −28.5% | $45,779 | $42,720 – $98,120 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $56,880 | — | $46,248 | $46,070 – $100,340 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Plant Operator | $87,820 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.0% |
| Chemical Plant and System Operator | $78,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.2% |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,470 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.3% |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.1% |
| Power Distributor and Dispatcher | $106,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.2% |
| Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator | $78,620 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $122,890 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.9% |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $60,020 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.7% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers | $74,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.8% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $68,120 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make?
The national median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers is $96,710 a year ($46.50 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,110 and the top 10% earn over $115,880. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $124,530. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are there in the U.S.?
About 33,160 people work as petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers nationwide.