Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Louisiana
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Louisiana earn a median of $106,640 a year ($51.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,060 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $96,710. Louisiana ranks 2nd of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,680, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,160 | $20.27 |
| 25th percentile | $84,110 | $40.44 |
| Median | $106,640 | $51.27 |
| 75th percentile | $108,420 | $52.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,060 | $53.40 |
| Average (mean) | $93,680 | $45.04 |
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 | $8,886.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,443.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,101.54 |
| Weekly | $2,050.77 |
| Hourly | $51.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $106,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $108,420 | 660 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $107,490 | 1,560 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $82,920 | 230 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $100,060 | $48.10 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $108,350 | $52.09 |
| Power Plant Operator | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,490 | $23.80 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,210 | $21.73 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Machinist | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,070 | $21.67 |
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Louisiana is $106,640 a year, or $51.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Louisiana earn at least $111,060 a year. The top 25% earn $108,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,160 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $84,110 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Louisiana?
About 3,490 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.