Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gauger Salary in 2026
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 $97,540 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $59,790 at the 10th percentile to $112,920 at the 90th percentile — a range of $53,130. The highest-paying state is California at $107,270.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,790 |
| 25th percentile | $77,970 |
| Median (50th) | $97,540 |
| 75th percentile | $104,660 |
| 90th percentile | $112,920 |
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gauger Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $107,270 |
| Alaska | $105,380 |
| Ohio | $104,140 |
| Kansas | $102,200 |
| Utah | $101,920 |
| New Jersey | $101,340 |
| Washington | $99,690 |
| Louisiana | $98,930 |
| Minnesota | $98,720 |
| Illinois | $98,240 |
| North Dakota | $98,010 |
| Texas | $97,970 |
| Montana | $97,840 |
| Wyoming | $96,470 |
| Iowa | $93,760 |
| Oklahoma | $89,850 |
| Hawaii | $87,420 |
| Michigan | $87,390 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,390 |
| Tennessee | $84,340 |
| Nebraska | $83,750 |
| Colorado | $83,670 |
| Wisconsin | $83,070 |
| Maryland | $81,750 |
| Arkansas | $81,490 |
| West Virginia | $81,190 |
| Virginia | $80,650 |
| Kentucky | $80,050 |
| Georgia | $80,020 |
| Missouri | $78,480 |
| Indiana | $77,450 |
| Mississippi | $77,090 |
| New York | $74,600 |
| Arizona | $73,230 |
| North Carolina | $72,090 |
| South Carolina | $68,920 |
| New Mexico | $67,380 |
| Maine | $62,230 |
| Florida | $60,830 |
| Nevada | $56,470 |
| Alabama | $51,270 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gauger Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$59,790 – $77,970 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$97,540 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$104,660 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $112,920+ |
How to Earn More as a Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gauger
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Alaska nonmetropolitan area earn $116,480 — $18,940 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($104,660) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gauger Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugerthis career | $97,540 |
| Biomass Power Plant Manager | $121,440 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $141,280 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $65,010 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $57,980 |
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SOC: 51-8093.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.