The median pay for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers is $96,710 a year ($46.50/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 1.9% through 2035, with about 2,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-8093
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger in four numbers
- Median pay
- $96,710a year, or $46.50/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $57KTop 10% $116K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -1.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−1.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −1.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,70032,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202532.9K
- Projected 203532.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 32.9K Projected 2035 32.3K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school97%
- Certificate1.7%
- Some college1.3%
Highest education held by petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers Segment Value High school 97% Certificate 1.7% Some college 1.3%
Also advertised as: Board Operator, Crude Unit Operator, Gauger, Hydrotreater Operator, Operator, Outside Operator.
Pay
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make?
Every petroleum pump system operator, refinery operator, and gauger in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$96,710
Middle half earn $77,510 to $106,320
- 10th
- $57,110
- 25th
- $77,510
- 75th
- $106,320
- 90th
- $115,880
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $57,110 |
| 25th | $77,510 |
| Median | $96,710 |
| 75th | $106,320 |
| 90th | $115,880 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $96,710
- Median hourly wage
- $46.50/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $90,630
- People employed
- 33,160
Versus all US occupations
At $96,710, Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earn 90% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $45,730 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 101% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $115,880 or more while the bottom 10% earn $57,110, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 70% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Alaska pays the most at $124,530, and still leads at $121,660 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $124,530 | $121,660 | 370 |
| 2Louisiana | $106,640 | $120,897 | 3,490 |
| 3Utah | $105,980 | $107,198 | 600 |
| 4Ohio | $105,150 | $113,340 | 800 |
| 5New Jersey | $104,540 | $96,080 | 420 |
| 6Washington | $103,620 | $96,829 | 930 |
| 7California | $103,250 | $93,253 | 3,360 |
| 8Illinois | $102,890 | $102,933 | 1,070 |
| 9Minnesota | $101,910 | $103,335 | 550 |
| 10Kansas | $101,880 | $113,115 | 950 |
Job outlook
Is Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -1.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | −1.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers to change -1.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 600 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,700 openings are projected each year, 8.2% of the 32,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)97%
- Post-Secondary Certificate1.7%
- Some College Courses1.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 97% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 1.7% |
| Some College Courses | 1.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger do?
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled.
- Conduct general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
- Monitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Signal other workers by telephone or radio to operate pumps, open and close valves, and check temperatures.
- Collect product samples by turning bleeder valves, or by lowering containers into tanks to obtain oil samples.
- Start pumps and open valves or use automated equipment to regulate the flow of oil in pipelines and into and out of tanks.
- Verify that incoming and outgoing products are moving through the correct meters, and that meters are working properly.
- Record and compile operating data, instrument readings, documentation, and results of laboratory analyses.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.6
- Reading Comprehension3.5
- Speaking3.1
- Active Listening3.0
- Writing3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Operation and Control3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Equipment Maintenance2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Industrial control software
- Inventory management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.2
- Conventional5.1
- Investigative2.4
- Enterprising2.2
- Social1.3
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Transportation and Material Moving
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator
$77,320median a year
Most earn $46K to $100K
+2.1%High school - Transportation and Material Moving
- Production
- Production
- Transportation and Material Moving
More production careers
Median annual pay, with petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger$96,710
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger | $96,710 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger appears on
Questions
Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger: frequently asked questions
How much do Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers make?
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers earn a median of $96,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 90% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $46.50/hr. The middle half earn between $77,510 and $106,320. The top 10% earn $115,880 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 97.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 1.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 600 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger do?
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. A core O*NET task: maintain and repair equipment, or report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors so that repairs can be scheduled. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Spreadsheet software, Word processing software.
Which states pay Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers the most?
The highest state medians for Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers are Alaska ($124,530), Louisiana ($106,640), Utah ($105,980) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger?
O*NET scores Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.