Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers · Virginia

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary in Virginia

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $58,970 —39.0% below the national median of $96,710. That ranks VA #39 of 42 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$58,970
Median hourly
$28.35
Entry level (P10)
$40,300
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$103,390
90th percentile
Employment
250
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-39.0%
U.S. $96,710

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$40,300
$46,980
$58,970
$78,900
$40,300$58,970$103,390
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $58,970.

Employment is only 0.28× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.

Highest-paying states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers

All 42 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Alaska$124,530$59.873705.30
2Louisiana$106,640$51.273,4908.45
3Utah$105,980$50.956001.61
4Ohio$105,150$50.558000.68
5New Jersey$104,540$50.264200.46
6Washington$103,620$49.829301.23
7California$103,250$49.643,3600.86
8Illinois$102,890$49.471,0700.82
9Minnesota$101,910$49.005500.87
10Kansas$101,880$48.989503.09

Related occupations in Virginia

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.

Frequently asked questions

How much do petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Virginia?

The median annual wage for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Virginia is $58,970, or $28.35 per hour. That is 39.0% below the national median of $96,710.

What is the entry-level petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers salary in Virginia?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $40,300 per year ($19.38/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,980.

How many people work as petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Virginia?

About 250 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Virginia a good state for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers?

Virginia ranks #39 of 42 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.28x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.

Which state pays petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers the most?

Alaska has the highest median wage at $124,530 per year, followed by Louisiana ($106,640) and Utah ($105,980).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes