Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in North Carolina
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in North Carolina earn a median of $80,060 a year ($38.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,940 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $96,710. North Carolina ranks 26th of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.03 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.12). The average (mean) salary is $81,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| 25th percentile | $65,780 | $31.62 |
| Median | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| 75th percentile | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,940 | $47.57 |
| Average (mean) | $81,520 | $39.19 |
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 | $6,671.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,335.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,079.23 |
| Weekly | $1,539.62 |
| Hourly | $38.49 |
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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $51,680 | $24.85 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Power Plant Operator | $108,300 | $52.07 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $81,460 | $39.16 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $90,420 | $43.47 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $39,170 | $18.83 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Carolina is $80,060 a year, or $38.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Carolina earn at least $98,940 a year. The top 25% earn $95,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,250 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $65,780 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in North Carolina?
About 130 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.