Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers is $96,710, or $46.50 per hour. About 33,160 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $124,530 in Alaska to $56,880 in Connecticut.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 42 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $124,530 | $59.87 | 370 | 5.30 |
| 2 | Louisiana | $106,640 | $51.27 | 3,490 | 8.45 |
| 3 | Utah | $105,980 | $50.95 | 600 | 1.61 |
| 4 | Ohio | $105,150 | $50.55 | 800 | 0.68 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $104,540 | $50.26 | 420 | 0.46 |
| 6 | Washington | $103,620 | $49.82 | 930 | 1.23 |
| 7 | California | $103,250 | $49.64 | 3,360 | 0.86 |
| 8 | Illinois | $102,890 | $49.47 | 1,070 | 0.82 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $101,910 | $49.00 | 550 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Kansas | $101,880 | $48.98 | 950 | 3.09 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $100,350 | $48.25 | 560 | 9.30 |
| 12 | Montana | $98,310 | $47.26 | 550 | 5.04 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $96,730 | $46.50 | 170 | 0.24 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | $95,140 | $45.74 | 1,390 | 3.82 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $94,900 | $45.63 | 280 | 2.10 |
| 16 | Colorado | $93,750 | $45.07 | 120 | 0.20 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $93,130 | $44.77 | 950 | 10.42 |
| 18 | Iowa | $90,160 | $43.34 | 70 | 0.22 |
| 19 | New York | $88,880 | $42.73 | 70 | 0.03 |
| 20 | Arkansas | $86,580 | $41.63 | 220 | 0.80 |
| 21 | Texas | $84,100 | $40.43 | 10,510 | 3.50 |
| 22 | Michigan | $84,030 | $40.40 | 180 | 0.19 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $83,910 | $40.34 | 330 | 2.22 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $83,870 | $40.32 | 820 | 0.63 |
| 25 | Missouri | $80,960 | $38.92 | 100 | 0.17 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $80,060 | $38.49 | 130 | 0.12 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $78,670 | $37.82 | 520 | 1.21 |
| 28 | Maryland | $78,580 | $37.78 | 90 | 0.16 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $75,180 | $36.15 | 860 | 3.48 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $74,340 | $35.74 | 420 | 2.25 |
| 31 | Alabama | $73,510 | $35.34 | 90 | 0.20 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $71,450 | $34.35 | — | — |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $70,050 | $33.68 | 120 | 0.82 |
| 34 | Indiana | $67,420 | $32.41 | 520 | 0.76 |
| 35 | Maine | $65,150 | $31.32 | 60 | 0.45 |
| 36 | Florida | $63,480 | $30.52 | 170 | 0.08 |
| 37 | Nevada | $62,420 | $30.01 | 30 | 0.10 |
| 38 | Arizona | $60,070 | $28.88 | 180 | 0.26 |
| 39 | Virginia | $58,970 | $28.35 | 250 | 0.28 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $58,160 | $27.96 | 70 | 0.14 |
| 41 | Georgia | $57,180 | $27.49 | 240 | 0.23 |
| 42 | Connecticut | $56,880 | $27.35 | — | — |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make?
The median annual wage for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in the United States is $96,710, or $46.50 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $57,110, and the top 10% earn $115,880.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in the U.S.?
About 33,160 people work as petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers nationwide.
Which state pays petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers the most?
Alaska pays the most at a median of $124,530, followed by Louisiana ($106,640) and Utah ($105,980).
Which state pays petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers the least?
Connecticut has the lowest median at $56,880.
Where are petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is North Dakota at 10.42×.