Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers Salary by State
Also called: Petroleum Refinery Operators and Gaugers
The national median pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers is $96,710 a year. By state, it ranges from $56,880 in Connecticut to $124,530 in Alaska.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $57,110
- 25th percentile
- $77,510
- Median
- $96,710
- 75th percentile
- $106,320
- Top 10%
- $115,880
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 33,160 jobs.
Median pay in 42 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $124,530 | +29% | $83,680 | $167,880 | 370 |
| 2 | Louisiana | $106,640 | +10% | $42,160 | $111,060 | 3,490 |
| 3 | Utah | $105,980 | +10% | $65,140 | $109,390 | 600 |
| 4 | Ohio | $105,150 | +9% | $73,840 | $107,530 | 800 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $104,540 | +8% | $79,930 | $122,800 | 420 |
| 6 | Washington | $103,620 | +7% | $76,950 | $114,980 | 930 |
| 7 | California | $103,250 | +7% | $72,930 | $128,840 | 3,360 |
| 8 | Illinois | $102,890 | +6% | $93,690 | $111,380 | 1,070 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $101,910 | +5% | $70,770 | $128,670 | 550 |
| 10 | Kansas | $101,880 | +5% | $79,250 | $109,260 | 950 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $100,350 | +4% | $69,320 | $114,040 | 560 |
| 12 | Montana | $98,310 | +2% | $75,760 | $108,160 | 550 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $96,730 | 0% | $65,380 | $105,050 | 170 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | $95,140 | −2% | $74,420 | $107,170 | 1,390 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $94,900 | −2% | $71,240 | $130,310 | 280 |
| 16 | Colorado | $93,750 | −3% | $62,620 | $104,590 | 120 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $93,130 | −4% | $66,580 | $118,280 | 950 |
| 18 | Iowa | $90,160 | −7% | $61,400 | $99,760 | 70 |
| 19 | New York | $88,880 | −8% | $60,850 | $105,080 | 70 |
| 20 | Arkansas | $86,580 | −10% | $56,580 | $96,770 | 220 |
| 21 | Texas | $84,100 | −13% | $45,670 | $108,650 | 10,510 |
| 22 | Michigan | $84,030 | −13% | $57,450 | $101,820 | 180 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $83,910 | −13% | $72,430 | $97,400 | 330 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $83,870 | −13% | $61,670 | $105,580 | 820 |
| 25 | Missouri | $80,960 | −16% | $59,860 | $118,760 | 100 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $80,060 | −17% | $60,250 | $98,940 | 130 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $78,670 | −19% | $50,540 | $106,810 | 520 |
| 28 | Maryland | $78,580 | −19% | $48,280 | $101,800 | 90 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $75,180 | −22% | $66,190 | $98,100 | 860 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $74,340 | −23% | $48,380 | $104,790 | 420 |
| 31 | Alabama | $73,510 | −24% | $43,950 | $93,240 | 90 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $71,450 | −26% | $64,560 | $103,060 | Not published |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $70,050 | −28% | $56,800 | $82,930 | 120 |
| 34 | Indiana | $67,420 | −30% | $44,260 | $104,020 | 520 |
| 35 | Maine | $65,150 | −33% | $43,470 | $92,810 | 60 |
| 36 | Florida | $63,480 | −34% | $49,920 | $97,000 | 170 |
| 37 | Nevada | $62,420 | −35% | $50,110 | $78,560 | 30 |
| 38 | Arizona | $60,070 | −38% | $38,520 | $106,360 | 180 |
| 39 | Virginia | $58,970 | −39% | $40,300 | $103,390 | 250 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $58,160 | −40% | $24,880 | $96,140 | 70 |
| 41 | Georgia | $57,180 | −41% | $42,720 | $98,120 | 240 |
| 42 | Connecticut | $56,880 | −41% | $46,070 | $100,340 | Not published |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary questions
Which state pays petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers the most?
Alaska, with a median of $124,530 a year (+29% vs. the national median of $96,710). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers the least?
Connecticut, with a median of $56,880 a year (−41% vs. national).
Where do most petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 10,510, with a median of $84,100.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.