Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in Tennessee
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in Tennessee earn a median of $52,120 a year ($25.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,810 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $61,770. Tennessee ranks 29th of 37 states for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers pay. There are 0.03 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $48,060, close to the median.
Pay range for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| 25th percentile | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Median | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| 75th percentile | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Average (mean) | $48,060 | $23.10 |
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 | $4,343.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,171.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,004.62 |
| Weekly | $1,002.31 |
| Hourly | $25.06 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $54,040 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $43,270 | $20.80 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Tennessee is $52,120 a year, or $25.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pump operators, except wellhead pumpers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Tennessee earn at least $62,810 a year. The top 25% earn $57,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for pump operators, except wellhead pumpers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,440 a year, and a quarter of pump operators, except wellhead pumpers earn $36,770 or less.
How many pump operators, except wellhead pumpers work in Tennessee?
About 80 pump operators, except wellhead pumpers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.