Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in California
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in California earn a median of $103,250 a year ($49.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,840 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $96,710. California ranks 7th of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.18 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $104,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,930 | $35.06 |
| 25th percentile | $96,810 | $46.54 |
| Median | $103,250 | $49.64 |
| 75th percentile | $119,200 | $57.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Average (mean) | $104,560 | $50.27 |
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 | $8,604.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,302.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,971.15 |
| Weekly | $1,985.58 |
| Hourly | $49.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $117,660 | 870 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $103,250 | 1,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $103,040 | 130 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $97,530 | 240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $85,220 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $79,840 | 120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $72,930 | 100 |
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.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Power Plant Operator | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $130,220 | $62.61 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $87,550 | $42.09 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $137,570 | $66.14 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Baker | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
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 California?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in California is $103,250 a year, or $49.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in California?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in California earn at least $128,840 a year. The top 25% earn $119,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,930 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $96,810 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in California?
About 3,360 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.