How much does a petroleum pump system operator make?
The median petroleum pump system operator in the United States earns $96,710 per year, about $46.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all petroleum pump system operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-8093.
Petroleum pump system operator salary range
Pay for petroleum pump system operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $57,110 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $115,880. The average (mean) wage is $90,630, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,110 | $27.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $77,510 | $37.27 | |
| Median (50th) | $96,710 | $46.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $106,320 | $51.12 | |
| 90th percentile | $115,880 | $55.71 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers (SOC 51-8093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Petroleum pump system operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Petroleum pump system operators earn the most in Alaska at $124,530 a year, and the least in Connecticut at $56,880. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $124,530 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $106,640 | 3,490 |
| Utah | $105,980 | 600 |
| Ohio | $105,150 | 800 |
| New Jersey | $104,540 | 420 |
| Washington | $103,620 | 930 |
| California | $103,250 | 3,360 |
| Illinois | $102,890 | 1,070 |
| Minnesota | $101,910 | 550 |
| Kansas | $101,880 | 950 |
| Wyoming | $100,350 | 560 |
| Montana | $98,310 | 550 |
| Tennessee | $96,730 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $95,140 | 1,390 |
| Hawaii | $94,900 | 280 |
| Colorado | $93,750 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $93,130 | 950 |
| Iowa | $90,160 | 70 |
| New York | $88,880 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $86,580 | 220 |
| Texas | $84,100 | 10,510 |
| Michigan | $84,030 | 180 |
| West Virginia | $83,910 | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,870 | 820 |
| Missouri | $80,960 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $80,060 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $78,670 | 520 |
| Maryland | $78,580 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $75,180 | 860 |
| New Mexico | $74,340 | 420 |
| Alabama | $73,510 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $71,450 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $70,050 | 120 |
| Indiana | $67,420 | 520 |
| Maine | $65,150 | 60 |
| Florida | $63,480 | 170 |
| Nevada | $62,420 | 30 |
| Arizona | $60,070 | 180 |
| Virginia | $58,970 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $58,160 | 70 |
| Georgia | $57,180 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $56,880 | N/A |
State median wages for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers (SOC 51-8093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for petroleum pump system operators
The BLS projects employment of petroleum pump system operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 32,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,700 openings a year for petroleum pump system operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a petroleum pump system operator
The typical entry-level education for petroleum pump system operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a petroleum pump system operator earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $124,530) and the lowest (Connecticut, $56,880) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 33,160 people work as petroleum pump system operators in the United States. At $96,710 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Petroleum pump system operator salary FAQ
How much does a petroleum pump system operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a petroleum pump system operator is $46.50. The middle half of petroleum pump system operators earn between $37.27 and $51.12 per hour.
What is the highest petroleum pump system operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of petroleum pump system operators earn more than $115,880 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a petroleum pump system operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a petroleum pump system operator is $96,710. The average (mean) wage is $90,630, close to the median.
Is being a petroleum pump system operator a well paid job?
At $96,710 a year, a petroleum pump system operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 33,160 people work as petroleum pump system operators in the United States.
Which state pays petroleum pump system operators the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for petroleum pump system operators at $124,530 a year. Louisiana ($106,640) and Utah ($105,980) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a petroleum pump system operator a good career?
Employment of petroleum pump system operators is projected to shrink 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a petroleum pump system operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for petroleum pump system operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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