Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers salary in Texas
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers in Texas earn a median of $84,100 a year ($40.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,650 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $96,710. Texas ranks 21st of 42 states for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers pay. There are 0.75 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| 25th percentile | $75,210 | $36.16 |
| Median | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| 75th percentile | $100,440 | $48.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,650 | $52.24 |
| Average (mean) | $84,350 | $40.55 |
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 | $7,008.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,504.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,234.62 |
| Weekly | $1,617.31 |
| Hourly | $40.43 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $100,660 | 1,480 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $84,100 | 5,510 |
| Midland, TX | $80,540 | 310 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $78,630 | 820 |
| Lubbock, TX | $77,240 | 60 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $67,940 | 400 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,510 | $49.28 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,890 | $49.46 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Machinist | $59,180 | $28.45 |
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 Texas?
The median salary for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Texas is $84,100 a year, or $40.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers make in Texas?
The top 10% of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Texas earn at least $108,650 a year. The top 25% earn $100,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,670 a year, and a quarter of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers earn $75,210 or less.
How many petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers work in Texas?
About 10,510 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.