Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Billings, MT
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in the Billings, MT metro area earn a median of $103,110 a year ($49.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,160 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $96,710. Pay here is 5% higher than the Montana statewide median of $98,310. There are 4.1 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 19.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,040, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Billings, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| 25th percentile | $90,340 | $43.43 |
| Median | $103,110 | $49.57 |
| 75th percentile | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Average (mean) | $98,040 | $47.14 |
Half of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,592.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,296.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,965.77 |
| Weekly | $1,982.88 |
| Hourly | $49.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $124,530 |
| Louisiana | $106,640 |
| Utah | $105,980 |
| Ohio | $105,150 |
| New Jersey | $104,540 |
| Washington | $103,620 |
| California | $103,250 |
| Illinois | $102,890 |
| Minnesota | $101,910 |
| Kansas | $101,880 |
See Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Billings, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Baker | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Machinist | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Printing Press Operator | $36,160 | $17.38 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Billings, MT?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in the Billings, MT metro area is $103,110 a year, or $49.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Billings, MT?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in the Billings, MT metro area earn at least $108,160 a year. The top 25% earn $108,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Billings, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,890 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $90,340 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Billings, MT?
About 380 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in the Billings, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.