Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in California
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in California earn a median of $57,660 a year ($27.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,390 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $61,770. California ranks 26th of 37 states for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers pay. There are 0.07 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| 25th percentile | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Median | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| 75th percentile | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,390 | $41.54 |
| Average (mean) | $60,560 | $29.11 |
Half of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers 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 | $4,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,402.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,217.69 |
| Weekly | $1,108.85 |
| Hourly | $27.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $71,780 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $63,060 | 250 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $60,990 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $59,540 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $53,980 | 90 |
| Visalia, CA | $39,520 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $92,310 |
| North Dakota | $81,400 |
| Alaska | $80,210 |
| Wyoming | $77,820 |
| Connecticut | $71,890 |
| Montana | $71,770 |
| Michigan | $69,540 |
| Alabama | $66,890 |
| Virginia | $66,500 |
| New Jersey | $64,990 |
See Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $38,410 | $18.46 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,380 | $19.41 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $64,430 | $30.98 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7072. 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 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in California?
The median salary for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in California is $57,660 a year, or $27.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in California?
The top 10% of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in California earn at least $86,390 a year. The top 25% earn $73,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,470 a year, and a quarter of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers earn $44,550 or less.
How many pump operators, except wellhead pumpers work in California?
About 1,220 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.