Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in New Mexico
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in New Mexico earn a median of $74,340 a year ($35.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,790 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $96,710. New Mexico ranks 30th of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.48 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| 25th percentile | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Median | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| 75th percentile | $101,770 | $48.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,790 | $50.38 |
| Average (mean) | $79,270 | $38.11 |
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 | $6,195 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,097.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,859.23 |
| Weekly | $1,429.62 |
| Hourly | $35.74 |
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 New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | $70,080 | 80 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $97,660 | $46.95 |
| Power Plant Operator | $105,510 | $50.73 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Baker | $34,850 | $16.76 |
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in New Mexico is $74,340 a year, or $35.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in New Mexico earn at least $104,790 a year. The top 25% earn $101,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,380 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $62,800 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in New Mexico?
About 420 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.